As a new parent, you’re taught how your kids grow in ages and stages. When they’re little, it’s teething and walking, rolling and feeding themselves; all fun, exciting things. But this summer, we’ve hit the “Mom, can you take me and my friends to the mall?” stage. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know it would happen so quickly.
But here I am, the tween chauffeur.
I don’t mind. Really, I don’t. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. As soon as my friends and I were allowed to walk around alone, that’s what we were doing. I lived in a little area called Sheepshead Bay, and there were plenty of places you could walk to. We walked to school, to the stores on Nostrand Ave, down the Bay to hang out by the boats. We didn’t need to ask for rides unless we were going further than that.
And of course, with mass transit easily accessible, we were really independent. That being said, I’m thrilled with where I’m raising my kids. Here in Norwalk, and all around Fairfield County, there’s so much to do! But sadly, it’s not that easy to get around unless you have a car. Enter, the tween chauffeur.
So this summer, I’ve taken my daughter and her friends all over. And I guess I thought I was out of my own awkward teen stage, but somehow, driving these kids around, I’m like an awkward teenager all over again.
Will they talk to me? Am I supposed to talk to them? Am I supposed to chime in with my thoughts or opinions, or should I stay quiet? But if I stay quiet, do they think it’s weird that I’m just driving and not talking to them?
I’m really not sure. I like to yap, as my daughter likes to say. But I’m just not sure if they want me all up in their convo. And sometimes, I think they actually forget I’m there! I try to make a little small talk so I don’t seem like an absolute silent weirdo, but the truth is, just as these kids are navigating the tween and teen years, I’m learning how to parent them.
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