This is Fourteen.

stories and snippets from the frontlines of age fourteen.

Child 1 (girl)

I love seeing the mantle of leadership develop - yet still keeping an interest in playing sometimes, then suddenly ‘being done’ and veering from sociable to retreating to a book - or poring through yearbook with her brother.

Loves scary movies and thrillers.

Child 2 (boy)

Very, very into fitness, working out, getting stronger and faster. I am the metric to beat: the two areas are wrestling and racing. On August 15, 2024, he beat me in a foot race for the first time. I did not think that would happen for another year.

Working out. Jumping, leaping, stretching, bands, weights, sprinting…

His impersonations are gut-busting funny. Sept 2024
The heartbreaking reality of being on support for your child when there’s things happening to those they care about, and because they care for them, you care for them, and when they hurt, you hurt, and try to find the way to be actively supportive the right amount, and tolerant of ways in which navigating really tough life happenings comes out in the form of aggressive or hurtful attitudes or words. In this case, the losing of an important friendship to another state. 20240915

Things I take for granted: that he gets his studies done. I don’t always handle things well in trying the right amount to support, to ask questions, to offer advice judiciously and kindly in the right doses. But I have to stop and think sometimes: he is responsible. I wish he would listen to me more sometimes, especially when I know I could help things be easier or simpler (e.g. learning how to take really good notes and summarize large amounts off information effectively and efficiently). But he does it. He gets it done. He should be proud. 20240918

Is your 14yo taking Ballet class? Ours is. I love it. 20241010

Medicine balls for workouts. Proud of his academics. Fitness regimen seven days a week. Jumping and leaping everywhere, measuring tape out to track progress. What a fellow. 20241101

Says he’s starting to rediscover a love of reading, after a hiatus for several months. 202501

Workout and fitness accessories and equipment…all over. Dedicated student, but outside of studies - and in between - it’s some form of sprint-jump-leap-strength workout. 20250213

Child 3 (boy)

coming in a while

Child 4 (boy)

coming a while later

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