So What Would You Do?
Other than be surprised that there's something new here.
My son likes a girl. Which is a start. We have it on good authority that she likes him back. Which is the problem. Now what does he do? They're 11. Does he ask her out? if so, where do they go? How do they get there? Is it cool to hold hands in the hallways? Should they have lunch together? Am I obligated to let him use the car? And more importantly, what do they do two weeks from now when they've become interested in another person?
Man my head hurts. I'm happy that the little bugger likes a girl who likes him back, Lord knows there's nothing better for the male ego at age 11, (hell, it ain't so bad at age 40), but I don't envy him the whole "trying to figure out what to do next" stage at age 11. Sort of makes me glad I didn't have that problem until I was about 18.
Hey, I had a late growth spurt OK?
Ah yes, the awkward conversations, the "does she or doesn't she" thoughts, the whole trying to figure out what I should do next and does she want me to do that or will she think I'm a hopeless dork if I do that thing. Good times.
So far all I've told him is to ask me any questions he wants about any situtation that comes up and I'll tell him what I would have done at his age. Then I told him that since what I would ahve done at age 11 is drink some chocolate milk and go play Dungeons & Dragons, he should do the exact opposite of whatever I come up with and he should be OK.
Frankly, at age 11 my only advice would be if she likes you and you like her than hang around together and have a good time, but don't take anything too seriously. But I'm pretty sure this is all going to end with someone going emo and developing an unhealthy fascination with holding sharp objects to their forearams.
I just hope it isn't me.
EDITOR'S NOTE: He got the girl. If you've never seen an 11 year old walk around trying to be cool with a shit-eating grin plastered all over his face, you haven't lived.
My son likes a girl. Which is a start. We have it on good authority that she likes him back. Which is the problem. Now what does he do? They're 11. Does he ask her out? if so, where do they go? How do they get there? Is it cool to hold hands in the hallways? Should they have lunch together? Am I obligated to let him use the car? And more importantly, what do they do two weeks from now when they've become interested in another person?
Man my head hurts. I'm happy that the little bugger likes a girl who likes him back, Lord knows there's nothing better for the male ego at age 11, (hell, it ain't so bad at age 40), but I don't envy him the whole "trying to figure out what to do next" stage at age 11. Sort of makes me glad I didn't have that problem until I was about 18.
Hey, I had a late growth spurt OK?
Ah yes, the awkward conversations, the "does she or doesn't she" thoughts, the whole trying to figure out what I should do next and does she want me to do that or will she think I'm a hopeless dork if I do that thing. Good times.
So far all I've told him is to ask me any questions he wants about any situtation that comes up and I'll tell him what I would have done at his age. Then I told him that since what I would ahve done at age 11 is drink some chocolate milk and go play Dungeons & Dragons, he should do the exact opposite of whatever I come up with and he should be OK.
Frankly, at age 11 my only advice would be if she likes you and you like her than hang around together and have a good time, but don't take anything too seriously. But I'm pretty sure this is all going to end with someone going emo and developing an unhealthy fascination with holding sharp objects to their forearams.
I just hope it isn't me.
EDITOR'S NOTE: He got the girl. If you've never seen an 11 year old walk around trying to be cool with a shit-eating grin plastered all over his face, you haven't lived.
posted by limpy99 at 8:42 AM
17 Comments:
Just think, it is entirely possible you could be a grandpa in less than 5 years.
I'm not helping, am I?
You need to have "the talk" with him now so that he feels comfortable coming to you when he's older. Just say'n.
I checked with the female 10 year old contingency on this and this is what she said, "You hold hands at Science Camp."
Back episodes of Bridezillas oughta set the boy straight. Or the opposite.
what would I do?
roll with it...
keep it light...
I think you'll do just fine.
:)
You should just be happy you are the father of the son in this scenerio and not the father of the daughter...he is probably seeing how long it takes to get a shotgun permit.
Teach the boy when he is running away from a girls house not to run in a straight line but to bob and weave. Makes him harder to hit.
At 11 they should be just hanging out at your house on the couch waching movies...ah shouldn't they? What the hell is it like being 11 in 2009..is 11 the new 16?
Tysgirl-We've had "the talk". Now he's just trying to figure out how to get to that point.
Maggie-"This one time, at Science Camp..."
Pug-I was going to say that "straight" is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of a guy watching "Bridezillas". or a dame watching "Deadliest Catch"
Rhonda-See, I knew you'd know.
Cedar-that second paragraph may be the best advice I've never given him. Apparently the girls family is from out west, and we do live in a rural area, so I'm going to have to pass that along.
Just wait until it's your daughter who likes a boy, and the boy likes her. Would that be worse?
Zoe-May I refer you to Zoe's excellent suggestion above? And no, at 11 I'd be laughing just as much as I am now. At 16 I'll be buying guns.
This is the great part -- now that they're "going out", they'll never exchange another spoken word or in-person experience again. No pregnancy worries, nothing... because EVERY part of the "relationship" from here on out will be accomplished via Facebook or text-messaging, including the break-up.
Who says parenting adolescents in the 21st century isn't better than before?! I love technology!
I suggest buying a box of condoms and slipping them into his underwear drawer.
Update: EXCELLENT!!! And I imagine that he looks a lot like Dad.
AWESOME.
Gets it from his daddy!
ah, young love, young angst.
...it only get's more complicated and awkard from here....
By the way, I've moved (if you care)
www.ongoingchapters.wordpress.com
Yep....get's it from his daddy! ;-)
His troubles have only just begun.
... as have yours.
LOL!
Miss You!
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