Fry, Party of Five

One minute they want to snuggle, the next they’re slamming the door.

There should be a warning label on parenting tweens: May cause whiplash, emotional whiplash. Side effects include crying in the pantry, involuntary eye twitching, and spontaneous laughter at completely inappropriate times.

Raising tweens is a bit like being on a rollercoaster built by someone who’s never actually seen a rollercoaster before. You climb slowly to the top—feeling confident, connected, maybe even smug—and then suddenly plummet into a nosedive of sarcasm, slammed doors, and existential dread over “the wrong brand of cereal.”

And just when you’ve braced yourself for another loop-de-loop of moodiness, they crawl into your lap and whisper, “I love you, Mommy.” And you’re gone again—heart puddled on the floor, wondering how much longer you get to be their safe place.

The Highs | When the Sun Breaks Through

There are moments of such clarity and sweetness, it feels like time slows. They tell you something vulnerable. They ask for your opinion. They genuinely laugh at your jokes (okay, some of your jokes). They still want you at the dance recital. They still text you from their friend’s house just to say hey.

These little bursts of sunshine are reminders that they do still need us, even if they’re trying really hard to act like they don’t. They’re testing out their wings, but your lap is still home base.

The Lows | Please Exit Through the Gift Shop (with Tears)

Then there are the days that feel like an emotional hostage negotiation. You say “no” to Starbucks and are met with a dramatic monologue about how literally everyone else gets Starbucks whenever they want. You suggest a family walk and receive a grunt so guttural it may qualify as prehistoric. You make a lighthearted comment and suddenly you’re the worst, most embarrassing person who’s ever lived. (And yes, you’re still paying for their phone, WiFi, and body wash they refuse to share.)

It’s hard not to take it personally, especially when it feels like your once-sunny sidekick has been replaced by a small, angsty roommate who rolls their eyes as a primary form of communication.

The In-Between | Where Most of Life Happens

Most days, we live somewhere in the in-between. Not quite kids, not quite teens. They still need help with homework, but don’t want you hovering. They want independence, but also can’t find their shoes without yelling your name. They want boundaries, but will test every single one with the precision of a NASA engineer.

And you, dear parent, are just trying to keep your balance—offering guidance while biting your tongue, loving them fiercely while letting them go slowly.

Grace, Grit, and a Gallon of Coffee

This season is not for the faint of heart. It will humble you. It will stretch you. But it will also grow you into a more patient, compassionate, resilient version of yourself.

Because in between the slammed doors and the side hugs, there’s still magic. There’s still wonder. There’s still them—becoming who they are, even if they don’t quite know who that is yet.

So take a deep breath. Keep showing up. Laugh when you can. Cry when you must. And always—always—keep the pantry stocked for your own emotional snacking needs.