Tween? Really?

Whats up with this word “tween”? Is it just me or is this hands down the most annoying word on the planet? Daniela is 9 years old and apparently falls under that term, but I just can’t see myself using this in a normal conversation. What happened to young girl or child or little girl? Are we really in such a rush to have them grown that we need to label them prior to those messed up teenage years? I think not.

For the first 7 years of her life, Daniela was an only child. She still is at our home, and unlike every other child i know, Daniela does not want to grow up. Each birthday is like a ticking time bomb just waiting for her to melt down. Don’t get me wrong — she LOVES the parties and the presents and the celebration, and of course the CAKE, but do not make the mistake of saying she’s getting older or taller or grown up-er or (aack!) a tween. She will fall to pieces in a terrifying spectacle. Sugared up toddlers’ WalMart meltdowns have nothing on this girl’s drama. Perhaps it’s because she doesn’t have an older sibling to look up to and emulate, or perhaps she just realizes how profoundly short life is and doesn’t want to rush it, but my girl just wants to be a baby forever. No, seriously. That is not an exaggeration.  A few months ago she went through a phase where she wanted to drink out of baby bottles. I still lay in bed with her until she falls asleep (which is for a totally different purpose but we’ll cross that bridge later). She won’t take a shower. She hates to take a bath by herself. She asked for a play kitchen for Christmas. You know, the ones that are built for 3 years olds? Yeah, she still hasn’t played with it…

I see no need to rush these beautiful years of being a young girl. These really may be the best years of her life for the next decade or so. Middle school is rough. Worse than high school in some ways, (have you seen the bully reports lately!?) and when you’re as sensitive and compassionate as my little munchkin is, things can get dramatic quickly. I kinda sorta love being the one she runs to when something good (or bad) happens. I love how she has to hold my hand in bed and how her little fingers twitch as soon as she falls asleep. So yes, I cringe every time I hear the word “tween”. I just don’t see it’s necessity in today’s hormone induced world. Let the little ones stay little for as long as possible (and I thank God she doesn’t like Justin Beiber). They’ll be full blown, gum smacking, hair twirling teenagers soon enough. Right now I’m happy just cleaning those baby bottles :)