Nearly-teen DS desperate to grow up too fast

[Sleepingonthebus]

DS will be 13 next month and is desperate to grow up. He has a strange view of how he believes teenagers should behave and it feels like he's forcing it.

He has become more moody lately and if I ask him what he wants for dinner he says "I don't care. I don't care about anything." It feels scripted and it's really quite funny to watch him try to force puberty.

Today he was talking about dyeing his hair black and getting piercings!

I found the 12/13 age worst with DS2. He is 14 and a half and has been a delight for the last year-ish. Hoping it continues. Never had anything at all with DS1.

I've found actually giving them opportunities for independence helps - there is less to push against. Both mine seem to have their heads screwed on though and are not interested in hanging about the streets smoking and drinking or whatever like DH and I used to do!