I have two tweens - those kids at that in-between stage of not being a child and not yet being a teenager. With kids growing up so much faster than my generation did, these kids between the ages of 9 and 12 have basically been ignored for too long. No more. Tween issues are coming to the forefront these days and as the parent of two tweens… I’m thankful that they are.
Parenting a tween has never been harder. In the past, these kids would have just been lumped into the “child” category and we wouldn’t be too concerned with them until they reached their teen years. We can’t just lump them into another category anymore - they stand alone in their own. Tweens.
My tweens are completely different than I was at their age. Not only is school tougher, television more advanced, social media prominent and computers the norm, they are reaching puberty earlier, their bodies are changing faster and the emotions… well, the raging hormones are enough to keep you hidden under your covers.
Just when you think there isn’t anything you can do… there is! The Motherhood, in connection with Unilever, is sponsoring Tween Academy, a series of online discussions geared towards helping parents navigate the big road map between childhood and teenagedom. When I was asked to Co-Host the class on Tween Hygiene, I jumped at the chance. Hygiene, you ask? Yes… that taboo topic that no one wants to talk about. That’s the problem, though, because not only do parents feel embarrassed to talk about it amongst themselves, they are NOT talking about it with their tweens.
Once you open the lines of communication and put it all out there (puberty, menstruation, body odor, health issues) it becomes much less scary. Really, it does. It’s starting the conversation that people fear. Well, fear no more.
Please join Rosalind Wiseman (author of Queen Bees and Wannabees - the book the movie “Mean Girls” was based on) and a panel of Co-Hosts (of which I am one) for “Tween Hygiene” and get some tips in helping your tween through this strange and difficult time of their life. This class will be in CHAT format and held on The Motherhood website.
Enroll now… it’s FREE and I promise, you’ll be able to have all your questions answered. Also, feel free to follow the twitter hashtag #DontFretTheSweat for additional information.
Tween Hygiene
September 28, 2011
12:00 noon EST
Your Co-Hosts for “Tween Hygiene” will be:
Deb, Mom of 3 Girls http://www.momof3girls.net/
Carolyn, This Talk Ain’t Cheap http://thistalkaintcheap.
Mary, Everyday Baby Steps http://www.everydaybabysteps.
Stacie, Divine Miss Mommy http://www.thedivinemissmommy.
Deborah, Vodkamom http://www.vodkamom.com
Latricia, 1 Stop Mom http://1stopmom.com/
Giveaway! During the Talk, we will randomly give one participant a Vera Bradley tote bag filled with these items: momAgenda Desktop Planner; momAgenda Chores Pad; momAgenda Love Post-It Notes; one sample each of Dove, Degree Girl, and Degree Men deodorant; Rosalind Wiseman’s Queen Bees and Wannabes; Rosalind Wiseman’s Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials.
