1. They are 11! Simple hey?
Nope!
This means that they have seen it all, done it all and have learnt all there is to know about everything!
2. You know nothing!
You’re old, your life is over and you can’t even begin to imagine what it is like to BE 11.
You just don’t get it …. MUM!
3. Technology is everything.
That includes all forms. From their interactive whiteboard at school (which by the way you can’t possibly understand as you used chalk surely…. see point above!) to anything with an i in front of it and then of course the absolute pinnacle of the electronic world the PlayStation/Xbox/Wii.
Again us parents have no idea what the attraction is here because YOU JUST DON’T GET IT MUM!
4. They probably know more swear words than you do.
Thankfully mine has never used them (to my knowledge) but he is still in the stage where they are hilarious to hear.
5. They have their own language.
Everything is sick, but apparently that’s a good thing, who knew bro!
6. SATS
This is almost more important than electronics.
It’s all that they talk about from September, it consumes them and their last primary school year.
7. High school fear
Despite being know-it-all little so and so’s they are hyper aware that they won’t be the oldest and wisest in their new school, it’s big and scary and coming quicker than their brains can cope with.
8. Independence
They are desperate for it, crave it almost.
They don’t want to come shopping with you when they can just stay at home ALONE! They don’t want you to take them to school, they can make their own way, or so they think.
9. You’re embarrassing
EVERY LITTLE THING YOU DO! Apparently we are a total embarrassment to them. You can’t look at them when they are with their friends. Don’t even think about waving them off at school in front of their mates.
And dancing in supermarkets is a massive no-no!
10. They still make you immensely proud with everything they do.
They are so grown up and working so hard at school. They want to succeed and if they are anything like my son, are probably doing extra booster classes. You see how tough this is but are filled with pride.
11. They are still your baby.
11, it’s still so tiny. They are still so young, despite what they think!
And at the end of the day, they need you as much as ever. They still want a cuddle, they still can’t wait to tell you about their day and they still need you more than they will admit.
11 3/4….
This is the calm before the teenage storm. Enjoy them, revel in every little moment they choose to share with you, pray that you’ve done enough to lead them on the right path and hold their hand a little longer.
Been there, done that with my 3 daughters. Its gratifying now as adults to hear them say how sorry they were younger when being difficult to handle with their attitudes!
Oh I look forward to that day x
I have a 10-yr-old, so I’m def loving this!
It was great fun to write x x
Ah my youngest is just coming up to 11 and like you say I’m so aware of the oncoming teen years I am taking all the opportunities to hang out with her these holidays as the big 3 are too busy with their social lives !!! #itsok
Yeah I’m hoping I can prize him off the electronics for long enough, although we are off to Disney before he gets too old! It reminds me he is still a kid at heart x x
Awww wow have a fab time!!
And you, I hope you have a lovely Easter break x x
My eldest is 27 today and she’s still my baby!! They outgrow primary school and it really hits in September! When they suddenly become so little again. Enjoy x
Oh I’m so terrified but excited for him x
It’s so scary for a parent and them too, but give it 2 days he will soon be confident again
Oh yeah I think he is more excited than he is letting on. He did amazingly well moving to his current school after we moved from our home town so I’m hopeful he will be ok x x
Awwww this is excellent news xx
God, I remember being a kid and thinking I knew everything and my parents knew nothing. Oh, hang on a sec…not sure I ever grew out of it!
Interactive white boards? My mind is blown! Xx
Yes interactive white boards, a giant iPad basically 😂
Great post! I don’t have any kids but this was a funny read!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Thank you! My 11 year old thought it was ace (and embarrassing of course!)
I have a nearly 2 year old, I have a few years to go but I’m sure she will be 11 and a miniature adult before I know it 😫!
I remember my mum always used to say to me “I was young once too you know” I used to think whatever mum your like 100. If only I could speak to my younger self.
Thank you for sharing.
Alyssa
THESACREDSPACEAP.COM
I know! I was exactly the same. I was also guilty of forgetting that my parents had a life before I was born, even now when I hear about their childhood I have to remind myself of that fact!
Enjoy your 2 year old, she will be grown before you know it 💕
Very sweet. My son is almost twelve so I totally get everything you said. I don’t get anything he says, though:) He’s still a sweet boy. Hopefully, he stays that way for a little while longer.
They will forever be our babies x x
Great little post! I don’t have any kids just yet but this was really funny to read 🙂
Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk
Thank you! My 11 year old has sent me in to meltdown today as he is really poorly. The last time he was ill, he was 2 so I’m full on panicking 😫 always our babies x
I have all this to come – I think I should probably be worried! Thanks for linking up to #ItsOK
I have a 3 year old daughter & I don’t really want to think about what she’ll be like when she’s 11 but this was a funny post!
Karalee
Tales of Belle
Oh you’ve got plenty of time yet! 3 feels like a really long time ago for me x x
My oldest one just turned 12 and I can relate to all these things and some days wish that they could stay younger few more years 😉
I think I’d keep mine at 5, he was adorable at 5 🥰
This was so funny to read, I don’t have any kids myself, but I have a few nieces and I have one who is almost 13 and she went from being outgoing and still wanting to play with toys to just sitting on the sofa on her phone and being a bit stroppy!! haha
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Oh the joys of the teenage years😂
Thanks for this. I have just barely survived 7 so will pin this for the future!
#itsok
If you’ve made it this far you’ll be grand! 🥳
I have three girls my oldest is 8. I’m studying everything I can find on the years yet to come because wow the past few years have been a whirlwind. They grow up so much faster than I remember growing up. Your article made me laugh thanks for the good morning read ☺️❤️
This post made me laugh because it’s so true that we moms know absolutely nothing. 😀 My daughter just turned 12 and cannot imagine life without technology! Great post!!
Thank you Michelle! I was still barbie obsessed at 11/12!!
Oh gosh I’m not looking forward to this stage of motherhood!!
Oh each stage is wonderful in its own way really.
Easy to say that while he has chosen to snuggle up tonight 🥰
I’ll need a handbook on the education system in Scotland too because it changed right after I left high school so I honestly have no idea what’s what haha.
What a perfect list. It saddens me that SATs is on there. Not because you are wrong, you’re right that in Year 6 they become all consuming. However, I really feel this shouldn’t be the case. Children should be loving their final year of primary education learning in fun ways and not worrying about SATs results. I’ve never been to a job interview and been asked for my Year 2 or 6 SATs results!
I have tried to explain this to him, you’re so right. It breaks my heart. My son is recovering from a complete breakdown about it, made himself ill. It’s such a worry as a parent x
I can already see some of this starting with my almost 9 year old, particularly, being embarrassed by me!
Haha, great read! My little ones are 4 and nearly 2 and I’m in denial about them getting any older! Mind you, my 4 year old already has the attitude of a teenager, sooooo….. 🙈
Oh god! 4 is almost worse than 11 because the minute they start school they really do know it all x
That is freakishly spot on!!
Thank you! Even my son agreed with it all!
Love love love and relate relate relate! I have an 11-year-old son who thinks all things groovy are ‘sick’ and I am ’embaressing’. Music gets turned down in the car whenever we are 10 miles from school or any kind of life form! But yes, he’s still my baby and loves his cuddles. 🙂 🙂 🙂
So true!!!! And it’s even worse when they’re teenagers.
Oh joy! I can almost smell the teenage years approaching 😫
Super article, Claire. My motto was to tell my daughter everything she needed to know BEFORE SHE TURNED 11, when I would become stupid in her eyes. I knew there would be a mum is stupid blackout for many years, and then she’d catch on that I am not. Fortunately that is just what happened and my 36 year old WANTS to have lunch with me every weekend! She says, “no one else does this, mum, but I want to see you.”
Oh that’s lovely, I can’t wait for the day when I’m no longer stupid mum!
My eldest is turning 9 this year, and some of these are already starting to ring true. They grow up so quickly!
Far too quickly!
Great post this! You are spot on that Technology is everything at that age!!
It’s like nothing else matters, especially now SATS are over!
My son is nearly 10 and we all ready there on most of this points. He really wants more independence. It’s so tricky to get the balance right.
We have a long way to go until Erin is 11 but if she’s anything like me I’m dreading it.
Oh it has it’s really good points as well x x
I love this topic, always gives me a little bit of sense what I need to do and be prepared for my kids when they turn 11. Thanks!
I have lots in store with my little lady then. Technology is everything for teens isn’t it?
Oh god from about the age of 2 really! 🤦🏼♀️
I have a 11 year old daughter and yes to all this. Its a funny old age isn’t it.
It sure is a funny one! They are awesome at the age though x
11 does seem like the turning point, especially for girls, they suddenly seem so much more grown up when they hit 11!
They really do! I can see a change in just a few weeks with my son x
I think many of these apply to almost-10 yr old large boy. Very timely as he’s gradually having very annoyed episodes more regularly. I fear the preteen is among us.