The big one-two! Sure, as a child, each and every birthday is exciting; but my eldest is on the edge of tweendom, and there’s much more to celebrate.

Turning 12 seemingly marks a significant step-up in the world for children, but also the end of an era for us as parents. As they wave ‘goodbye’ to the primary school playgrounds, and take a leap out into independence, there are certainly perks to turning 12.

1. Tween, not teen, and not a littlie either

Not quite an unbearably moody monster teen, but not a little child either. As a tween, you get the best of both worlds. Fancy staying inside and watching Netflix under a blanket? Sure! Want to head to the park with the littlies and enjoy an ice-cream? Yes! Do both. You’re a tween.

2. Parents as pals

As emerging pre-teens, it’s likely that you will still spend much unforced family time together. That time is well invested in reshaping your relationship to reinforce any friendship vibes. Something that can hopefully carry through into the teenage years, making life a little more bearable when the going gets tough.

3. A whole new world of cinema experience

Compulsory guardian accompaniment to 12As are gone! Being 12 means you get to hit the flicks with friends. And that’s essential tween activity.

4. There’s no age limit on the outdoors

While it’s sometimes tempting to hibernate with a box set, picnics by the pond, walking through woodlands, and lakeside adventure sports, are just a cool for tweens as they are for young children and adults.

5. Shaking off the old school

The jolt up to secondary school is a daunting prospect. That said, after those initial, unsettled first months, high school is an opportunity to figure out what you like to learn. What subject does it for you? Whether it’s Phys. Ed. or Physics, get to know what subject suits you.

6. There’s independence ahead

12 is when independence begins to trickle in hard and fast. Perhaps mini shopping sprees, swimming pool sessions, pizza parlour dates with friends… it’s all to come.

7. That surging sense of humour

Laughing isn’t exclusive to tweens, but it is when you see a development in their individual sense of humour. Conversation are more casually peppered with sarcastic swipes and witty one-liners. Family fun takes a new angle.

8. The emerging fashionista

Discovering your style is a key ingredient of tweendom. Browsing outfits online or picking and choosing a little more when out shopping. It’s all part and parcel of creating an all-important identity.

9. Height restrictions? A thing of the past!

It’s a biggie… being 12 pretty much grants you access to all theme park rides. Enough said.

10. Finding firm friendship groups

While friends are fickle and flitter between each other at primary school, your tween and teen years are a chance to find some firm friendship groups. It may just be one or two people, just like you, who’ll stick with you through thick and thin.

11. Getting tech savvy

Tweens, right now, have the growing up alongside today’s extraordinary technology. While this may seem like a hindrance at times, there are undoubtedly benefits too. Instant access to limitless information, extra safety when out and about, means to make money using YouTube, and opportunities to enhance CVs through online charity activities.

12. Learning what you love

Style, friendships, school subjects, it’s all important, but what is integral to any tween’s agenda is knowing yourself. This is the time to learn what you love, and what you think. Get to know the world and your place in it, just that little bit.

So as sit here wondering how on earth I am old enough to "own" a 12 year old daughter, I think I will celebrate surviving 12 years of motherhood and (despite the dent it has made in my bank account) all the great things it has taught me too! 

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