I think the tween-age years of our kids started at a pretty young age.  Even at nine years old, our oldest was already trying on 'tough-talk' and attitude and throwing it around like a boss. And while most kids experiment with different personas to figure out who they are or want to become, talking back to his parents got old real fast.

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While I was hesitant to call him out on his egregious behavior until he cooled down, that doesn't mean it didn't rile me up while he was sassing back to me.  And the best way to get a handle on my irritation is typically to put my thoughts and feelings down in writing.  

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Some day I may let him in on the secret - that he helped to write this song -  but I don't want him to fly the coop too soon.