Ages and Stages

Our three kids are so different.  Their ages and stages often make me feel like they've been raised under three separate roofs by three separate sets of parents.  I find it humorous, entertaining, and somewhat expected.  After all, we are our own persons and they are too.

Beck has always been an 40-year-old stuck in his younger body.  Wise, logical, understanding, and literal.  He's consistently interested in gemstones, weather, and reading non-fiction.  Lately, though, he's been unimpressed with activities and outings.  He hasn't been negative, just indifferent about everything.  I believe this is the tween stage prequel.  Common phrases out of his mouth:
"I mean, I dunno."
"I kind of like that, but I'm not sure.  It might be boring."
"It's my favorite, or maybe it's not."
"Can we do __? It's ok if we can't because I'm not sure I want to."
"I think that's not cool anymore."
We listen and try to follow his indecisiveness.  We play along.  We call him out.  We give him a hard time with banter.  We love him all the same.  Welcome to peer influence and interest changes, Beckaroni.

 

Penn.  Oh Penn.  That kid feels deeply.  Call it sensitivity. Call it emotional.  Call it a temper.  Call it compassion.  Call it whatever you like, but I love his spirit.  Everything is over the top, honest, and put out there.  He is who he is: Raw and politely unfiltered.  He goes from zero to 10 in a millisecond and always has a special lovey in hand.  They have to be "real" animals though, like an elk or bald eagle stuffy, not a Mickey Mouse character.  He spews facts about wildlife, habitats, and animal behavior.  Welcome to the start of a long school career, Penn.

"Watch this, Mama!" Everlee is immersed in this proud, show-what-I-can-do stage. It could be spinning on one foot, jumping off the couch, handing out napkins at dinner, closing a curtain for bedtime, shutting the car door, or stepping off a curb.  It's all about the accomplishment and making sure someone witnessed it.  Every task, no matter how meaningless, needs to be celebrated.  The smile beams upon a "Wow!" "That's amazing" or "Good job, Lu."  She is also very much into doing things "all by myself... I do it, I do it!" Welcome to validation and independence, sweet girl.