Most of my mom friends have kids that are close in age to The Dudes.
We’re pretty much all experiencing the life of pre-school waitlists and 3rd grade science fair projects together.
But, my online friends are much more diverse.
I can name first time moms, teenage moms, and empty-nesters who I’ve made genuine connections with. All women who have motherhood in common even though we are experiencing different stages of it.
Just another thing that makes blogging life pretty awesome.
I get to learn so much from mothers who are further in their “careers” than I am.
I’m pretty sure I am most afraid of life as an empty nester (because what the what will I do all day when there is no one to clean up after, yell at, or chauffer around?), but it’s only barely beating out my fear of teen-dom.
Will they still talk to me? Will they sneak out? Will they let me sit on the sidelines at their games while I scream my face off for them and give them spirit fingers and cheer without being completely mortified?!
According to my fellow Dude Mom pal Kristi, from Live and Love Out Loud, being mama to a teenage Dude isn’t all that frightening.
As a matter of fact, according to her, it’s pretty spectacular, even if you do want to ball your eyes out every time you look at his man-ish face because you can see your baby hiding in there…
I can’t even believe #1 is turning 10 this fall so no way am I even remotely ready for 16.
Or girls, or body odor, or asking me to borrow my car so he can stink it up and pick up girls.
At present I’m the only girl willing to ride around with him smelling up the place and I’m totally okay with that!
*This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Too bad neither one of us are that small anymore!
Want to share your Dude Mom Life with us? Send a picture of your Dude Mom Life with the completed caption (Dude Mom Life is…) to parentingbydummies[at]gmail[dot]com!
Have a happy week, peeps!
Amanda, thank you so much for featuring my photo. My son is growing each and everyday. Every time I blink, he does something even more independent. Like getting a job. The kid has $71 in his wallet and I’ve got 39 cents. I’ll be borrowing money from my self-made man/son in no time. ;)
Thanks again. :)
Only one dude here and boy am I glad. lol. He is going to turn me grey prematurely.
Gosh, every time I think of my little girl being 16 I get so scared I have to literally close my eyes!!! But I know that time will surely come, and it will definitely be a bittersweet experience for me. Lets enjoy our children for being who they are now, and for the persons they will grow up to be!
Thanks, Kristy for sharing your dude’s pic and the caption is so beautiful and touching!
Yes! I smell their necks every night when I tuck them in. You know that’s where they keep all of their baby smell. At least until it’s all sucked up by their man scent.
aw jeez. 10? already? my biggest just turned 6 and i about lost my shyte.
love your pics, as always.
Yeah I’m not sure what I’m going to do about middle school. Luckily he’s just going into 4th grade so I still have a couple of years to figure it out. Or puke on my feet.
My dudes are 19, 16, and 10. They keep it interesting!! If you want to see what lies ahead, check out my theory about the Hierarchy of Needs for teenage boys.
http://theluckymom.com/2011/06/20/with-apologies-to-dr-maslow/
Thanks for linking to your post. I’m going to head over for a read when I get up tomorrow; I need to know what’s in store!
I don’t want to even imagine such a time yet! There mine! All mine!! Get back world.
Seriously. Although I usually like to say step off. It’s sorta my catch phrases. And, yes, I have a ton of catch phrases and I’m not afraid to use them!
My sweet precious baby is not going to grow up and drive girls around. Or boys. Unless they are just friends. I may be delusional, but that’s all I’ve got to hold on to right now.
The Dudes get to drive when they are 18. Nothing I can do once they reach that milestone I guess.
Great pictures both from you and Kristi. Sadly, I have no pics of my guy as a babe with my avatar. haha
But really, I get what you mean. Granted, i’m on ly 5’2″, but at 6 years old my little boy is already up to my chest. It actually looks like i’m trying to carry an adult man when I hold him in my arms becaues i’m so short and he’s so tall.
Don’t feel too bad, you’re actually taller than me, so I feel your pain. I know both my boys are going to be towering over me before they even hit puberty.
I’m 5’2 also and I can’t believe #3 is already head elbowing height!
My #1 Dude turned 11. They grow so fast! I am proud of who he is becoming.
Good! That is one thing I can say about The Dudes as well; they are all pretty great people on the inside, even as their outsides are changing so quickly!
I’m sure I’ve mentioned several times that I’m not a “Dude” mom. But I am a “Chick” mom. However, I did have the pleasure of raising my nephew from the age of 7 days to 12 years (and 3 months) old. I miss him SO much! He’s living with his mom (my sister) now and I hate that we don’t get to see him much. They live about 50+- away. So that makes it hard. Anyway, I do have a couple pix of me and him that I really love. I will send them to you.
Great post!!
I’m so sad you don’t get to see your nephew more often. I go insane when The Dudes are away for a few days. And, by a few I mean like a week!
What sweet pictures. The caption on Kristi’s picture makes me want to cry!
Me too! I think I did a little when she first sent it to me!