Sent my kid a text message for the first time last night. She just got a flip phone: “Being twelve is hard. I know you wanna be older and younger at the same time, that people expect you to act mature all of a sudden then treat you like you’re a little kid. You wanna be “hot” but your body doesn’t look like that yet. You’re suddenly afraid of seeming dumb if you don’t know something, etc. I wish I could help you be twelve. Like when you’re baking or learning to roller blade. But it’s the one thing I can’t do for you. You can come to me if you want. I don’t care what you did, you’ll never be in trouble for being upset. I was twelve once and all I can tell you for CERTAIN is it only lasted a year. But I can promise you 3 things, ok? 1) You’ll understand math one day. Suddenly it will click. Remember, you came from my body. You’re really smart but a little bit of an alien so your brain is slightly different but also sparkly. And I am gonna be by your side every night for homework. Not to monitor you or anything. I’ll just be there. Knitting in my rocking chair. 2)You can wear whatever you want when you want and if you get in trouble I’ll back you up. 3) One day someone is going to fall in love with you. And when they do every little thing about your body will be perfect to them. And if you are just as much in love with them it’ll be the most exciting thing ever. Like being at a carnival on that ride with the chairs that swing around really high in the air and you can see an entire city, and it’s weird because you can feel the wind on your toes? And it feels dangerous but in the best way? And It’s peaceful like how peace is supposed to feel. Love mom”