Tweens and Parents

Did you know that the “tween” stage is from ages 9 to 12? Yep, it’s a crucial time right before a younger child becomes a teen, and it’s important for so many reasons! They experience a huge range of changes in these years, and they undergo physical and emotional changes that can feel overwhelming (to them and their parents!). If you’re parenting a tween right now, you know the immense pressure that is placed on them by society to be popular, beautiful, interesting, athletic, and smart…the pressure can feel intense. That's why it’s so important for us as parents to stay connected to our kids in these critical years. 

Mental health disorders can become very prevalent at this age, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse. These complicated and nuanced issues can be caused by tons of factors including peers, genetics, and environmental stressors…and hellloooooo social media. Instagram and Tik Tok have given tweens even more to compare themselves to, and we as a society have only begun to see how it’s impacted this crucial age. 

If you’re feeling totally freaked out, fear not. It’s normal to feel pressure of parenting kids through challenging parts of their lives, and you may feel like you’re doing it all wrong. I assure you that the truly good parents are the ones who worry if they’re doing it right, because they are trying hard every day. As a tween and senior photographer, I see parents every day trying their best, and I want to foster that relationship more than anything! That’s why I started my tween sessions: to give parents and their tweens another way to connect and stay intentional about being in each other’s lives. Our tween sessions not only boost confidence and self-esteem when tweens need it so desperately, it also helps parents work alongside their tween and support them by scheduling their shoot and helping make it happen. 

Do you want to schedule a shoot for your blossoming tween? I promise they will thank you for it, and even if they don’t show it, they will love that you did it just for them!