Silly question... What age is a child considered...

[coldfeet]

... a tween? A preteen?

TIA!

[moondiapers]

I think when they hit double digits.

[<~*MamaRose*~>]

:

I think some may feel their children are preteen/tween prior to that (due to maturity or issues they are dealing with) but generally it's 10 and up. Personally I didn't consider DS#1 preteen until 12.

[Mama Dragon]

Depends on maturity. DD was a preteen at 9, DS isn't one yet at 10.

[Tishie]

My daughter was practically born a preteen, my son was one at about 11.

[UnschoolnMa]

Tween is like 11 and 12 I think, though 10 is often included. Tween and pre-teen mean the same thing to me.

[Momily]

I'd never describe my 8 year old as a preteen -- maybe a "tween" except I don't use that word in conversation. I'd be more likely to describe him as "elementary school aged" or 8.

However, I do come here and read, usually in lurk mode, because I feel like he's got more in common with a 10 or 11 year old (who I do consider preteen) than with the 4 or 5 year olds who are frequently discussed on the Childhood board. Also, because I don't really need advice on how to raise a 4 or 5 year old (since DS is my only child) but will probably be able to use anything I learn here about older kids at some point down the road.

[queenjane]

I thought the term "tween" was coined specifically for kids ages 8-12. Not little kids anymore (well to us parents maybe) but not yet teens. I would consider kids 11 and 12 to be "preteens". My son is still 10, will be 11 in late Oct and he is much closer to a teen (in interests, in maturity level, etc)than to a child.


Katherine