As we get ready for 8th grade, I can't believe how fast life moves by. Can it be that this little girl that loved picking up worms and bugs (now she hates bugs, of course) is a teenager heading into the world of 8th grade? This summer there was one day - one day only - she was not with her friends in some way or another. Sleepovers, Six Flags Great Adventure, water parks, the beach, boardwalk, everything involved her friends and that means I was surrounded by a bunch of 13-year-old girls every day!

Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
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6 things I learned from a 13-year-old this summer - grab the seat belt, what a wild ride:

1 - They "think" they know everything. You can argue until you're blue in the face (WOW, I am really sounding like my Mom) and she will just say I'm wrong, no matter what.

2 - Everything about their body is changing and they're totally weirded out by it. The sweaty armpits to pimples and everything else that happens with the body - they're totally freaked out. But, I do believe they are way more open about it than when I was a child and I think it's a good thing. At least, my child is. My child is so open about her body, maybe she tells me a little too much! I am very thankful that she is open with me! And teenager anxiety is a very real thing, I listen and make sure she knows I'm listening to her.

3 - The opinions of their friends mean more to them than anything else. One little word my daughter's friend might say to her can change her mood for at least half the day. If it's something about her chewing or the way she's walking, she will remember it and it's the only thing she'll think about. I wish she'd believe me when I say it just doesn't matter. But to her - it's everything.

Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
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4 -  I hope and pray she will always think this way - they are very scared of drugs and constantly say they will never do any form of drugs. They don't want to die. They do know about them, and with several of their favorite singers almost dying from them, it's hard to ignore. The D.A.R.E. program is wonderful and THEY LISTEN!

5 - Girls are constantly brushing their hair. I've timed her - at least 25 minutes, just to brush, before we can even leave the house. If I have a house full of girls, there is a girl at each mirror in the house using it. It's the craziest thing I've ever seen. We've waited in the car for them while they finish brushing their hair. I guess there are no knots in their hair. They continuously brush over and over again, no joke!

Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
Sue Moll, Townsquare Media
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6 - Every 13-year-old (GIRLS and BOYS) I've encountered this summer has done this and wish they would stop. Truly to a parent it's the most annoying, disrespectful thing - they yell "STOP". They're being very spicy. I try to talk to her, she yells "STOP". Why do they do this? I hear the friends saying it to their Moms, their friends, everyone - they just yell STOP. They're so moody. I say "Hand me YOUR PHONE - now you have to stop".

We've had a great summer and I wouldn't change a thing, EVER - wait -SNAPCHAT - UGH!


SUE'S MOMMY BLOG:

My daughter is the love of my life - fresh, funny, truly a wonderful little soul that brings me sunshine every day. She's now 13 and her life and what she does is just so funny, it’s too funny not to talk about or write about. It’s all about sharing our adventures with you. Time flies. Thanks for all of your advice through the years, mom's we are never alone! I guess it should be "Sue's Mom Blog" since she's so grown up now, I'm totally laughing out loud at that!

 

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