Tuesday, May 3, 2011

I Love Boobies

 Hello! Thanks for visiting my new blog, You Can’t Fix 13!

I plan to write about the wonderful and crazy experiences my husband and I have with our kids. They are all approaching, or are in their teen years, and I want to document our stories. I hope you get as much of a kick out of our crazy life, as we do, especially as they grow out of this stage. Eventually, we'll look back and laugh...right?

Here's a recent situation we had with our 13 year old son, Levi:

Levi approached me one day and said, “Mom, I want to use my $4 at the mall.”
"Why?" I asked (hello...he's a boy).
“I don’t want to tell you.”
Again I asked, "Why?"
Naturally, this is where the giggling began.
“Cause you’ll say no.”
"Really?," I asked. "Then why are you laughing?"
“I’m just going to get a bracelet.”

I watched him giggle some more, studying his goofy face and it all became clear. I knew exactly which bracelet he wanted to buy. I remembered that a few weeks ago Levi had text me a message with a signature at the bottom that read…

                                                  I love ( . Y . )

I'll have to admit, it took me a second to figure out what it was. I guess I’m not a connoisseur of boobs. My husband knew right away, but that’s another topic. I text him back, Change your signature right now or you will never see your ipod again!!!!! He’s actually a good kid, smart too. He blamed his older brother right away. Anyway, I told him we’d have a talk when I got home…he and his brother.

Stories like this remind me of when my husband and I first began talking about having kids and how good we’d be at it. I was talking about raising them; he meant the getting pregnant part. Anyway, we knew that we wanted to choose our battles when they got into their teens.  They could get their ear pierced if they wanted. (Jeff didn’t have that privilege. He's pretty sure his dad would’ve ripped it out.) We also didn’t want to freak out if one of the kids spilled something at the dinner table. We’d tell them we love them unconditionally everyday. We thought we'd fight the same battles we fought with our parents, like staying out late, and getting a pair of Guess jeans. But no, Levi wants a bracelet professing his love of boobs and when my older son Caleb was 13, he wanted to wear eyeliner! (Like the older brother on Diary Of a Wimpy Kid).

My how things have changed!

It’s as if they sniff out our concerns, listening to us in our sleep, discovering our fears. How do they know? Levi snuggled up to me the other day, so sweet, and then whispered in my ear, “You’re over-protective, Mom. Other kids have the booby bracelet.” I respond, “You’ll be fine if you don’t get everything you want.” Sounds smart huh? But inside I’m thinking I’m not overprotective, I’m a good mom! But what if I am overprotective and this is a small battle, but it feels like a big one. Why do they always feel big? Why does he snuggle me and then say that? It might be an ambush! Stay strong! Be confident you idiot!

To this day, we continue telling them that we love them no matter what. We try to choose our battles. We even feed them and stuff! Still, they insist on becoming 13. Why? It’s an unlucky number right? I think we should have an extension of 12. You know, age 12X, like the clothing size 6X. We could then  bypass that awkward and sometimes menacing number and move right on to 14.

Yeah right, as if that’s gonna save the day!

Thanks for reading. Blogging is new to me so let me know what you think.   -Amber

9 comments:

  1. Reminds me of having to go on (just turned) 13 yo DD's FB page and remove a pic of a t-shirt with "Smile if you're not wearing undies!" on it. She thought it was funny and didn't quite understand the sexual connotations of it (especially since her FB friends were all females of her own age). What have I gotten myself into? Those fast approaching teen years... they scare me! :D

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  2. I have the same fight with my 13 & 15 yr old boys. Frustrating - and even though I know the intention behind those bracelets is to show support for breast cancer, which is a very important cause, I think the phrase is still in bad taste and inappropriate. On a personal note, love your writing style and your parenting style too!! Can’t wait to hear more on your blog! Thanks to your SIL Kimm for “introducing” me to your husband Jeff, and thanks to Jeff for “introducing” me to you!

    Kimber Dunn

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  3. If a psychologist is struggling with the same concerns and parenting worries I am, then I must be doing okay, lol. I hope I'm not overprotective, but I'd rather err on that side than the other. At first glance, I thought the little text message was a capital "Y" meaning "You", so guess you need to be a man to see it right away. Welcome to Twitter!

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  4. Kimber, I agree on the bracelets being somewhat inappropriate. But that's what draws a 13 year old! Lol. I think the bracelets draw more of the teen group than adults that are really dealing with the issue of breast cancer. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Thanks Brenda! I did the same thing with the "Y". I found out just last night that my oldest son (15) was the one that created that signature! I suppose I should be happy that he didn't use it. His personality is a little more cautious than Levi :) And as far as a psychology degree, it helps a lot knowing what stage of development their brains are in. It allows me to be a little more patient with their behavior instead of thinking it's permanent. This too shall pass!

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  6. I think you are on your way to that book I mentioned;)
    -Missy

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  7. I agree - think the campaign backfired slightly because most adults won't feature this saying on their bodies, but young teens will gladly to do it. They get such a kick out of being crude but masking it as "for the charity". We had arguements here, but I won. When my son brought them home without permission, I cut the bracelets in half so they couldn't wear them.

    Really wish I had your patience. I'm usually of good humor with my children's stages, and remind myself all the time that it will pass - but lately my teen boys are making me feel a bit like a failure. Thisclose to telling them to raise themselves, since they already think they're doing a better job than me. ARGH

    But I guess, as long as they pick out a beach-side nursing home, it'll all be worth it in the end. LOL

    Kimber

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  8. Funny Amber! I'm not sure skipping 13 and moving straight to 14 will help! Just wait until Anna gets to puberty;)

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  9. Oh, um we are actually planning to skip that! Thanks though ;)

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