Photo by floridamama-4-2

Slamming doors, lying, scowling, defiant behavior. All things to look forward to when your child hits pre-puberty, somewhere around age 8 or 9.

Moms answering pleas for advice say just because your child has to go through the bad attitude doesn't mean you have to sit back and take it.

Several who've been through it say standing your ground, discipline, and consequences are still key.

"I still do time-outs and it keeps my son in check," says one mom. "He is a child and I AM STILL in charge. You can take away the TV, phone, ground her, whatever it takes to make it clear that she will not be rude to you. Behaviors can be learned and modified, and it is best to make your expectations clear today rather than when she is even older. Kids will push as much as you let them."

Basic bra (2-pack) from The Gap, $12.50

An anonymous mom writes that her 10-year-old daughter is starting to develop breasts.

The problem? Her tween doesn't like to wear training bras. So, this mom wanted to know if there were any other options...

Photo from Walgreens.com

This article about teenage boys overusing Axe made me laugh. Apparently, Axe's overly sexual commercials are working a bit too well. As a result, teens everywhere are dousing themselves with the potent deodorants and body sprays—much to the dismay of everyone within smelling-range of them!

On today's episode of Oprah there was an unbelievably heart-wrenching conversation between two mothers whose 11-year-old sons died only days ago. The boys were not friends, they did not even live in the same state, but what they had in common was the fact that they were tortured by bullies.

They hung themselves merely days apart. I'm not sure if there is more to say.

There is no question that this is a very difficult subject for many parents. Moms of tweens are constantly dealing with what seems like alarming changes in their children (even though many times the changes are normal, albeit sexual in nature). Sexual exploration at 9, 10, 11, and 12 is actually more common than many people think.

This is not to suggest that kids this age should ever engage in sex, but most seem to develop a heightened awareness of their bodies. Dr. Laura Berman even discussed self-stimulation (or masturbation) within this age group on a recent Oprah episode.

photo by rockerchic

Now these are cute for a tween!

The visceral reaction that any post I do on Bratz dolls gets, leads me to believe that for the most part, moms don't like the idea of endorsing mature looks for young girls. Well a recent question by an anonymous mother asking, "What do you think about 11-year-olds wearing huge hoop earrings?" stuck with me.

In the new issue of People magazine, First Lady Michelle Obama breaks down how her children are living in the White House. In many ways, it's just the same as it ever was.

Let's remind this mom that this too shall pass.

A child without special needs issues going through puberty can turn the most calm household into a drama-zone. When hormones take over your kid, sometimes it takes all a parent has to keep from going crazy themselves.

Hey, everyone, this is Cafe Cynthia paying a visit to Big Kids today!

My mother would kill me if she knew I told you this, so hush is the word ... When I was a teen, Mom did not handle the whole "menstruation" talk all that great. Or, I should say, lack of talk.

My mom wasn't good about uncomfortable or embarrassing subjects, especially those related to any type of reproductive organ, so she just avoided it.

Available at Amazon

Moms of tweens, there's a new book out that is very interesting and whose title poses a new theory, "13 is the New 18." Take a minute and think about that one.