Teenage Behavior

Lola does lots of things these days that I really was not expecting until she was a teenager. I suppose the talking back or know-it-all attitude shouldn’t be a huge surprise, but it is interesting how soon she feels a need to express intellectual confidence or is uncomfortable with appearing unknowing. She’s had a few years of school now and a big world is opening up in front of her so maybe she is trying to maintain some control over it. I can imagine that it would be daunting if so much of what there is to see and know didn’t fit into what little perspective or knowledge one has. But in general, the sassy attitude is lame but probably shouldn’t be unexpected.What has caught me more off guard is her desire to keep me away from her school mates. I am the one who regularly drops her off at school or 4th R in the morning and picks her up in the afternoon. I’ve taken a cue from Julie and tried to be friendly with the staff at 4th R since they spend so much quality time with Lola. It’s probably a good idea to know who those people are. But I also take the time to say hello to some of her classmates and be a friendly adult. But apparently Lola doesn’t dig that too much anymore. She is a fairly shy person so I think my interactions are “embarrassing” her or not within her comfort zone. She doesn’t like it when I try to talk to her “friends” after school and say “hello.” And now, when I drop her off at 4th R in the morning, she has me wait in the front room while she goes and drops her backpack off. I used to walk in with her, help her unload and chat up the staff or kids. Not any more. I am unsure of how forceful I should be about exemplifying friendly, relaxed behavior and respecting her wishes. Hopefully this behavior doesn’t last for the remainder of her childhood because I am definitely not going to be unaware of who she surrounds herself with.