Daniel turned 13 this week. They say it gets hard again when kids become teenagers. We’ve been enjoying the golden years with both kids between the ages of 6 and 13. They’re reasonably independent in this age bracket and all the sleepless nights and nappy changing is behind you. You’re also still a big influence on them and they enjoy spending time with their parents and going on family holidays.
Does all this change when they become teenagers? Teenagers are supposedly rebellious and parents become less important and their peers more so. That said, I don’t think Daniel will be a difficult teenager. One of Elizabeth’s friends said Daniel will be the least teenager teenager to ever exist and I think she’s right.
We gave Daniel an electric guitar for his birthday which is what he wanted. He’s been learning the guitar for a couple of years and has demonstrated commitment: he practises every day without us having to ask him and he seems to enjoy it. His guitar teacher accompanied us to the shop and helped us pick one out. He got a Schecter. I’m not particularly fond of the sound of an electric guitar but at least you can plug headphones in! He looks pretty cool. He’ll be performing gigs in no time.
Daniel’s a very clever and kind human with a strong sense of fairness. He’s interested in science and politics and likes to be involved in discussions about world affairs which I find extraordinary in someone so young. Maybe he’ll be a politician one day. Happy birthday, Daniel!
rachel.blog 
> Teenagers are supposedly rebellious and parents become less important and their peers more so.
I think that’s a generalization. Like you, I too believe Daniel will turn out well, given the excellent love, care and kindness with which you have nurtured your kids.
Aww thank you, Chait! I hope more than anything that we have instilled kindness for others in our kids and I think we have.
A muso and a programmer in the family. A nice diverse range of talents.
Kids change so much as they become adults so who knows what’s around the corner. I do think it’s important to learn music as a child though because it’s such a pleasurable activity when you’re an adult.
Plus, it’s getting recognised (again, probably) that the arts help with creative thinking, problem solving, and risk-taking. Obviously, not physical risk-taking, but the risk of trying something new and pushing the boundaries.
Ha ha Isabel never really became a teenager while Rhiannon was one from 8 years until about 13. I think Isabel was more amenable – Rhiannon had a lot of difficulties with the other children at school and sometimes I think that’s what being “teenage” is about – stresses that arise as children get older are sometimes not visible from a family’s point of view, and so they cannot understand why their child is behaving differently. Hopefully Daniel won’t have too many stresses to cope with and has so much support that it will make them easier.
Yes, I think you’re right. They become more self-conscious as they become teenagers and care more about what their peers think and I guess this is where lots of problems can arise.
What sort of stuf does he play/sing?
He doesn’t sing but I think he has a nice voice and I wish he would. He plays a mix of songs that his guitar teacher gives him. There’s some classical and some modern.