1.
Your baby won't look like a baby anymore.
2.
Like their younger years, you constantly worry that you'll ruin your kid. Unlike their younger years, they now agree.
3.
You will grapple with wanting to be their friend while being mindful of the fact that what they need most is a parent.
4.
You'll second-guess your decisions time and time again.
5.
You'll forgive each other over and over.
6.
They will come home and share pieces of their day and you will be so glad you're done with school.
7.
You know you have to let them fight their own battles even if you really, really want to do it for them.
8.
The complaints will reach a crescendo.
9.
The internet will terrify you.
10.
Like the baby stage, you'll still have a love/hate relationship with time. Mostly hate.
11.
But then there will be moments when your tween declares you the best mom ever and you'll be like...
12.
And just when you're convinced that your kid is the most awesome kid on the planet...
13.
That's when you'll totally lose your cool.
14.
Still, you'll pretty much hate yourself for that.
15.
But, lucky for you, you already know what good parenting looks like.
16.
And remember to hold on to the things that have always worked for you.
17.
In the end no matter how hard it gets, you'll still treasure these moments.
18.
And one day you two will sit and laugh about this.
