Our Five Ring Circus: A Letter To My Tween Son

Monday, September 26, 2016

A Letter To My Tween Son


When Dylan was born all the experienced mothers told me to enjoy every moment because he was going to grow up so fast. I smiled politely but I simply couldn't understand. His childhood stretched endlessly ahead of us. Time was on our side.


santa hands photo

But I blinked. I blinked and I suddenly have a son who is almost as tall as me and wearing the same shoe size as I wear. In 14 months he will officially be a teenager. In 4 years he will be able to drive. And in 6 years he will be leaving home. The mere thought of him leaving us brings tears to my eyes. Mamas, time is NOT on your side. Time speeds up the moment you have your baby and there's no going back.

Tween Photography

I'm not going to sugar coat it. The tween years are tough. There are days when I would rather deal with 20 newborns who aren't sleeping through the night than 1 tween with a major attitude. But there are just as many days when my son does something so amazing and mature that it takes my breath away. Too many people only focus on the negative aspects of the tween years. That's why I'm thrilled to partner with Yoplait Go Big to share why having a tween is actually pretty amazing!


A Letter to my Tween Son

Dear Dylan,

You have been in my life for nearly 12 years now. I loved you fiercely from the moment I knew you existed and I couldn't wait to meet the newest love of my life. And you couldn't wait to race out into the world and leave an impact before it was time. You arrived a month early and we immediately knew you were something special.

Those first two years with you were amazing. It was just you and us and we became a family. You taught us how to be parents and we taught you how to be a kind, loving, responsible human being.  Those years with you were simple and so sweet. Motherhood was simply amazing thanks to you.

You were an only child for just 2 short years before we added to our family. You became a big brother not once...not twice...but three times. Each time you transitioned seamlessly and I truly can't think of a better brother for your siblings. You may bicker at times (quite often these days) but your underlying love for them is just as fierce as the love I have for you. That fact is evident every single day.

Family Photo Ideas

You were always an amazingly kind and loving boy. Even as you grew and became "cooler" that side of you never changed. You simply touch the lives of each person you meet and you always treat others with respect. Your kindness and love for your fellow human beings shines brightly. It's always the first thing that every single person who meets you notices.

I was so worried that you would lose that part of you as you moved into the tween years but your love for others never went away. You may worry incessantly about your hair and your clothing style but you never hesitate to give one of your teachers or friends' moms a hug and you always make conversation with everyone you come in contact with.  You treat everyone you meet, even strangers, with a level of kindness and respect that most adults don't even possess.

Over the past few years I've had the privilege of watching you grow from just a brother to a lifelong protector. When your baby brother was born with special needs I worried about how it would impact your life. Instead of having the negative impact I first expected the personal growth was incredible. When I see you with your brother I have absolutely no doubt that you will be best friends for life and that you will be an amazing father one day.

The Lucky Few
The Lucky Few

Despite all the great things I have to say about you, life isn't perfect or amazing. It's not supposed to be. You and I butt heads these days. You are very mature which makes it hard for you to accept the fact that I'm still 100% in charge and a lot more knowledgeable than you. You often roll your eyes and become annoyed by the things I tell you to do.

I get it. I really do. I was once in your shoes. The tween years are TOUGH. School is harder, you have more responsibilities, life is busier, the hormones are kicking in, other kids are growing up into not so kind human beings and girls are now on your radar.  Each day you juggle sports, homework, hobbies, music and life in a big family. It really is a lot of responsibility!

Skateboarding

 You have a lot on your plate which is why I try so hard to remember what a great kid you are during those moments when the tween attitude takes over. Life can be so overwhelming at times and it's really easy to lose control of your emotions. You really are a wonderful kid and I know that I'm incredibly lucky to have you in my life.

Family Fun

Dylan, you're an amazing human being and I am so proud to be your mother. I have absolutely no doubt that you are going to accomplish great things. Even though I may drive you crazy at times (and vice versa) I just want you to know that I will always love you. I will always be on your side. And I will always be here for you with open arms when you need me. Nothing will ever change that. No matter how big you get you will ALWAYS be my baby boy.

violin

You are growing up way too quickly for my liking and I can't do anything to slow it down. I can't bring back the tiny preterm baby that once fit in the crook of my arm. I can't bring back the cheeky toddler with the adorable grin. I can only embrace the person you are right now and take the advice that was so often given to me: Enjoy every moment. I am honored to spend these moments with you.

Love, Mom

{Excuse me while I wipe the tears out of my eyes before I move on! Where did my baby go?!?}

Now that I have a tween, life is busier AND he's hungrier! He needs an on the go snack that is every bit as big and amazing as he is. Enter Yoplait Go Big

 

Yoplait Go Big

New from Yoplait is this large yogurt pouch that is perfectly sized for a tween or a teen! (Or an adult...just saying.) The design isn't the least bit babyish so they won't mind tossing one into their lunchbox or snacking on one in front of their friends. The Go Big grip-and-rip pouch is easily portable and opens quickly by tearing up and back. Plus it's made with real fruit!

I recently bought two boxes of Go Big in the refrigerated section at our local Giant Eagle store and they were an instant hit with Dylan! He puts one in his lunch box each day and he also enjoys them as a snack on the go. Go Big comes in boxes of 8 pouches in these flavors:
  • Peach Mango/Cherry
  • Strawberry/Mixed Berry
Yoplait Go Big

Although the fact that they are made with real fruit is my favorite aspect of Go Big here are a few other reasons why they are perfect for your growing tween:
  • Good source of calcium
  • No artificial colors
  • Gluten Free
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Low Fat
  • Just the right amount of sweetness
Go Big fits in perfectly with Dylan's on the go lifestyle. It's a healthy, filling snack choice that  provides energy for my busy tween and satisfies his growing appetite!


I shared all the reasons why I think my tween is amazing and now it's your turn! Head over to Yoplait Go Big's Facebook page and share why you think your tween (or teen) is amazing.


There's one thing that's certain: I am one lucky mama! 

Mother and Son

Thank you to Yoplait Go Big for sponsoring today's post. My tween is now a big fan of #YoplaitGoBig!

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful letter to Dylan! So well said and something he will read and love. I find days with my 4 year old tough, so I can't imagine a tween. Yikes! I'll have lots of questions for you someday.

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  2. Posts like this always make me teary eyed and a bit panicky that I will blink about 3 times and my kids will be there too. *sigh* Oh how quickly they grow.

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  3. Such a sweet letter. I love the pictures of him and Liam.

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  4. Yep, as soon as I saw the title of this post I knew it was going to make me tear up. I was right. And oh goodness how I'm dreading the teenage years. Not necessarily because of the attitude they suddenly develop, but because of the independence and the peer pressure and the meanness from other kids that comes along with those years. I cringe even thinking about it!

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  5. mama this letter is the sweetest, ever.
    xo,
    Maca

    www.heymaca.ca

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  6. If this isn't the sweetest thing. You've got me in tears. As a boy Mom this all hits close to my heart.

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  7. Girl, I'm a hot mess over here. Dylan sounds like such a wonderful young man! You & your husband should be so proud of yourselves. :)

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  8. Such a good read Mama! It goes by WAY too fast! Enjoy the moments!

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  9. This is such a sweet post. I wrote one to my daughters at the beginning of the year. Love this:)

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  10. Kinsey is not a tween yet (though she is rather sassy haha) but her love of yogurt woukd make these a huge hit in our house! Dylan seems like such a sweet young man! Kudos Mama!!

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  11. This letter is sooo sweet! I'm dreading the day my girls become tweens! Also, all those pictures are adorable! Such cute kiddo's!

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  12. what a lovely letter. i don't even want to think about my Eli being 12...and Dylan is so handsome!

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  13. OMG so adorable! It goes too quickly! He looks like the sweetest big bro!

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  14. My babies are only 1 and 2 and this already had me bawling! I love watching them grow and learn but at the same time can't stand that they will never again be those cuddly newborns. Thank you for sharing your thoughts mama! I have two teen stepdaughters that will love these snacks!!!

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  15. Such a sweet letter to your son! The tween and teen years are very challenging. You're right about that! I have two teens ages 14 and 16 (plus two little ones) and we have our moments. But then we also have our beautiful moments. Great post and I hope to find the new Yoplait for tweens at my local grocery store!

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  16. This letter gave me all the feels, and he is so handsome!

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  17. This is so so sweet. I'm not a mom yet, but wow this is great inspiration to write letters OFTEN for ALL the years!

    Coming Up Roses

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  18. This letter is the sweetest ever! And those yoplait go big snacks look good!

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  19. This was so beautiful! He is one handsome tween!

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  20. What a beautiful post! Those snacks look yummy!

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