Turning twelve may not seem like a big deal, but the changes kids undergo during this pivotal year are astonishing. Reflecting on my own twelfth year, I realize how transformative it was for me. My kids may be growing up in a different era and gender, yet they are likely to experience similar highs and lows as they look back on this year.
It’s not long since I felt the confusion and uncertainty of adolescence, convinced that mastering shaving would be an unattainable feat. The first half of the year, I was navigating seventh grade—was it a middle school or a junior high? Time flew, and soon I found myself adjusting to eighth grade. I felt incredibly mature.
Who I was at the start of my twelfth year contrasted sharply with who I had become by the end. At the beginning, I played the flute, while by year’s end, I experienced my first kiss—an awkward French kiss, nonetheless. The sound of either one was less than pleasant.
In the beginning, classmates called me Casper, due to my pale complexion and gentle demeanor. By the end, I was dubbed Lucy after the Peanuts character, embodying her quirky nature. Initially, I sported a feather in my hair until it was banned; eventually, I was chewing on cinnamon toothpicks until those, too, were prohibited for causing distractions. That’s when I learned that school wasn’t designed for happiness.
At the start of seventh grade, my fashion choices included parachute pants and shoulder pads, but by year’s end, I had transitioned to wearing blue eyeshadow, questioning why I often felt alone. I began the year without any physical changes, while still drinking milkshakes with raw eggs in hopes of enhancing my bust, and ended the year in the same position.
Early in the year, I couldn’t put down Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, only to be absorbed in Forever by the end, still grappling with feelings of isolation. Initially frightened to be alone at home, I ended up babysitting the neighbors, learning the ropes of responsibility.
Musically, I transitioned from loving Golden Earring and Lionel Richie to being captivated by Duran Duran and U2. My bike rides transformed into adventures with Becky’s older sister, who taught us DIY fashion using garbage bags. Family movie nights watching On Golden Pond became sneaky viewings of 48 Hours with my friend Cathy.
Smoking shifted from Yves St. Laurent menthols to Camels, as I tried to project a tough image. At the start, I wished my dad would leave, but by the end, he was gone. Sleepovers were once forbidden, yet I found myself participating in silly rituals like freezing bras overnight.
My thoughts evolved from trivial to profound, filling an entire diary by year’s end. The radio stations of my parents gave way to discovering alternative music. Friends who once faded from memory after school became pivotal figures in my life as the year progressed.
As I support my children through their own transformations, recalling my experiences from thirty years ago offers valuable perspective. For those navigating similar changes, resources like NHS’s IVF page provide excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination, while this article can guide couples on their fertility journey. Also, understanding separation anxiety is crucial during this phase.
In summary, twelve is a year of immense growth, filled with new experiences and challenges that shape who we become.