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Parenting 'Tweens (9-12) Information

Preteen is a person between nine and twelve (but this age could sometimes extend up to the age of 15) before that person becomes a teenager. It is a relatively recent term used to describe a distinct period in life in which children are still children, but are starting to develop a more realistic view of the world, similar to teenagers.

Preteens are developing a more realistic view of the world in several ways: More realistic fears (i.e. kidnappings, rapes, and scary media events, as opposed to fantasy things such as witches, monsters, etc.), more realistic job expectations; more responsibilites, such as mowing the lawn, delivering papers, collecting firewood and shoveling snow; more nuanced view of human relationships (i.e. they may notice the flawed, human side of adult authority figures more readily than they would at a younger age); a more developed sense of self and identity; increased feelings of independence; more nuanced view of morality; more mature, sensible, realistic thoughts and actions; more tolerance to movie, television and video game violence and other content.

While these traits may sound similar to those of teenagers, preteens think more similary to children than they do to teenagers, and these traits are still very undeveloped.

Many schools attempt to develop these feelings through the use of lessons tailored specifically to preteens' developing worldview. For example, debates on touchy moral issues (i.e. abortion) are sometimes introduced in the upper elementary school grades, as are classes on current events.

Preteens are also known for their brand consumption, and are a heavily targeted market of many advertisers. Their tendency to buy brand-name items may be due to a desire to fit in, although the desire is not as strong as it is with teenagers. Many of these brands names fall under clothing and music.

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I have been vacillating about hormone replacement therapy for a few years now. Sure, the night sweats aren’t much fun, the reduced energy and weight gain is definitely a drag, but I’d read about the increase risk for cancer, I wasn’t sure if it was worth the price I might eventually have to pay. I am not alone in my confusion over this ... Read More »
The passage of time feels very different depending on your stage of life. In my experience, the last five years have flown by, but that is all that my younger child knows; so for her, it feels like forever. Therefore life changes, such as graduations, are huge for small children. Who am I kidding? My daughter graduating from preschool seems huge ... Read More »
I’ve been considering hormone replacement therapy for a couple of years now. I started getting night sweats around my period (which still comes regularly), and my energy level seemed to plummet, and I couldn’t keep weight off like I used to, and my thoughts turned to ways to combat the natural, yet unfortunate, decline of my reproductive ... Read More »

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