Sometimes telling the difference between and teen and tween is extremely difficult! (Photo courtesy of clker.com)
Editor’s Note: Be the Benchmark is a sponsor of chambanamoms.com
“Teenagers… you give them an inch, they swim all over you!” – Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
No one (including Sebastian or King Triton) is going to argue that raising kids is hard and raising teenagers is even harder. And now we have this new category of “tweens” … how are parents supposed to keep up? So, what IS a tween anyway… and do we parent them differently than teens?
Contrary to popular belief, the difference between “teen” and “tween” isn’t always directly associated with the number-candle that tops your daughter’s birthday cake. While the following differentiating factors are non-scientific, they are based in over 15 years experience watching young girls make this oh-so-MAJOR life transition.
Tweens ask mom first… Teens ask friends first
Tweens shop at Justice… Teens shop at Forever 21
Tweens wonder why people keep warning them about sex, alcohol and drugs… Teens KNOW why people kept warning them about sex, alcohol and drugs
Tweens find social networking “fun” and “funny”… Teens find social networks a mandatory aspect of their life, more mandatory than breathing
Tweens wear sports bras under their t-shirts… Teens wear sports bras AS their shirts
Tweens hang out with their girlfriends 24/7… Teens hang out with whomever is around (often boys… often NOT at their own house…unless they have a basement)
Tweens’ parents all know each other, their phone numbers, addresses and are fb friends… Teens’ parents are lucky to know the names of their children’s friends; good luck figuring out which parents match which kids
Tweens greatest stresses include friends, grades and chores… Teens stress about getting into college, having enough money and their futures
Tweens ride bikes around the neighborhood… Teens catch rides with their “licensed” friends around town (and to neighboring towns)
Tweens hang out on Pinterest with a little facebook mixed in… Teens prefer Instagram and Snapchat (at the moment)
Tweens think going to highschool sporting events is cool… Teens think going to the party AFTER the game is cool
Tweens biggest wishlist item: Smart Phone… Teens biggest wishlist item: Car
So if this list is even close to being correct, the answer is YES teens and tweens need to be parented, coached and mentored differently – which is why Be the Benchmark exists (so glad you asked), and why Erin Tarr is committed to working with girls who – quite honestly – are already headed for success; helping them achieve even more, with less stress and angst and more excitement and enthusiasm.
If you have a teen or tween girl in your life, you will want to check out the Be the Benchmark courses starting on October 14th - to help them become more confident young women who will create lives that have impact far beyond their imaginations – setting the BENCHMARK for their generation.
Check out Be the Benchmark on Facebook too!
Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post, and chambanamoms.com was compensated for this content.
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