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Here I am, back By AMY M. DAWSON Now that my daughter is


in sixth grade, I find myself back in the middle again.


Middle


school, that is. That fun mix of algebra, acne and angst we reflect on like a tooth extraction: had to be done, glad it’s over.


are a miscommunication: “I thought you asked if I like the color blue, not will I go with you!”


send us yours! t


i blogs she o Why is that murky time


so wrought with emotion? Is it the raging


hormones? The ravenous


hunger brought on by an explosion in height? The inability to keep one’s skin clear no matter how extreme — or flammable — the solution? Part of the turmoil is taking those first tentative steps toward romance. Of course, these faux-relationships are fraught with awkward overtures, last on average three days and often


But learning how to navigate middle school romance can help avoid bigger heartbreak


future. Here’s some advice I’ve given my daughters:


If you tell your posse


of BFFs who you think is cute, everyone within a 100-mile radius


will know within the hour. Middle school


girls are genetically wired


to download tidbits of juicy info at warp speed. They aren’t bad friends; they simply lack the ability to store information. Plan accordingly. Let him text or call you first. If you


call a boy, he will brag to his friends that you like him. You’ll come home upset, and I’ll have to shoot some kid dirty looks until he graduates from college. Save us both the effort.


in the


36 | northsidewoman.com | march2012


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