MIDDLE-SIZE CHILD

(Page 2 of 2)

June/July 1992
 
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Middle-Size is an age of persecution; always in need of interpretation is a statement such as, "My bus driver hates me." It can mean she is a nasty and vindictive woman who is persecuting your son. (An explanation too readily accepted by parents who feel persecuted themselves.) It could mean that she had a bad day and looked at him cross-eyed. It probably means that after warning him eight days arunning, she made him sit in the front seat for sticking his arm out the window.

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Love is best expressed during this period in harsh phrases like, "Boy! I can hardly stand Mary Sue Thompson!" But a boy's friend will freely give you the straight scoop while he beats them to silence and tries to conceal a smile. Having a bevy of boy's friends around always helps in cutting through the half-truths. More truth emerges around a noisy supper table where Middle Size boys are vying to top one an other's facts than are ever told in grouptherapy sessions.

Middle-Size friendships run hot and cold. This week's friend is next week's arch enemy. Middle-Size boys never have homework until 9:30 at night, and getting them to bed is like trying to settle a war in the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Middle-Size boys want you to share their prayers, but they don't want the facts known at large. They have abandoned Santa and the Easter Bunny, but are devoted to perpetuating the myths for younger children. Middle Size children scorn the responsibility of younger siblings in the presence of their parents, but boisterously assume authority when their parents are out of sight.

What boys want most at Middle-Size is spending money and minibikes. What they need most is understanding, responsibility, and plenty of attention. And you may be sure that if their needs aren't met at home, they will go to obnoxious lengths to win attention elsewhere.

Reprinted From: A Thread of Blue Denim by Patricia Penton Leimbach. Copyright © by Patricia Penton Leimbach..

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