Raising an "almost" teen boy...

  I am not afraid to say, "I have no idea what I am doing!"

 My son will be thirteen in November.  He is definitely changing...in many ways!  He now has a two-piece mustache growing...meaning some on each side of his upper lip.  Lol! I am not ok with him shaving yet, but I am sure it's needed soon.  I just don't want him to grow up.  Waahh!  His voice is changing...squeaking and sounding like a man and a boy in the same sentence,  he is taller than me...yes I know that doesn't take much, but trying to tell him to do something while looking up at him is a bit less scary for him I am sure.  These things I am able to deal with so far, but another change...I am not ready for!

  Yes, I am sure you know what I mean!  He is a boy!  It seems to me that kids are more curious and at such a young age these days.  I don't want to be too hard on him or too easy.  I want him to come to me and not feel embarrassed to ask questions.  I am sure it would be easier to talk to Jed about, but Gage and I have always had a very close relationship and him and Jed can really butt heads at times.  Don't get me wrong...Jed's trying.  Gage is just a VERY stubborn boy.  
 I just hope that how we have raised him and how we have always been very open and honest with him, he will choose the right path to go down whenever he is met with an uncomfortable choice to make. 

  I sure hope my many talks about how hard I had it being a teen mom and doing it on my own, giving up my education for a full time job, having to grow up and miss out on so many opportunities so young will stick somewhere in his head.  I have told him many times that if he makes the same mistake...gets a girl pregnant...I will NOT let him be a deadbeat dad.  He WILL work and help support that baby and have it over to keep him up during the night!  He will not just simply walk away. 

  Gage truly is a wonderful and sweet young man and I know if Jed and I continue trying our hardest he will turn out a wonderful man someday.  It's just getting through these next few, sure to be crazy years.  

  Then we have a teenage girl to deal with!  That...will be oh so fun!  NOT!