# Really cool things about kids getting older **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572 "2010-04-09T19:43:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/1 "2010-04-09T19:43:07Z")
I thought it was exciting when Dominic started using words. Then I thought it was great when he was potty trained. I was so proud of him when he started school. But I have to say, it’s totally _awesome_ that he is old enough and knows how to use the espresso machine and is willing to make me lattes. (He is clever: he says “do you want a latte, mom?” and when I say “sure, that would be great!” he answers “can I have one too?”) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/2 "2010-04-09T20:34:54Z")
Yay, Dominic! 🙂 I don’t have kids and plan on never having any, but I did a fair amount of babysitting back in the day. I have to say, the most amazing thing about wee ones getting older is **watching them learn new words**. They just soak them up without noticing, and suddenly one is using a word just because I used it earlier, having picked up the meaning from context automatically. Blew my mind every single time I noticed it happening. It’s so constant and automatic it’s easy to not notice the process at all. ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/3 "2010-04-09T20:53:08Z")
Seeing them evolve from a completely self-centered “me”-oriented individual to someone who has capacity for compassion and empathy and all that other good stuff. And watching them silently get the “a-ha” moment is fascinating, too. You can just see the little gears turning in their heads. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/4 "2010-04-09T21:17:45Z")
At fourteen, our eldest is just starting to get sexual innuendo. Her mother and I have been having a lot of fun messing with her head. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/5 "2010-04-09T21:42:53Z")
I LOVE being able to send the kids to the store to pick something up. Before if we were out of milk I had to load all 4 kids into the car, lug them to the store, deal with kids wandering off and whining and wanting sweets. It was such a hassle. Now I can just say, “Hey Alex, please go get a gallon of milk from the store. Here’s $3, keep the change.” Very cool! ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/6 "2010-04-09T21:44:31Z")
Also, the rule in our house is that all kids over the age of 10 have to cook one meal a week for the family. It’s great to wake up on a Saturday morning, stay in bed and smell the scrambled eggs cooking! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-things-about-kids-getting-older/535572/7 "2010-04-09T23:25:27Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > At fourteen, our eldest is just starting to get sexual innuendo. Her mother and I have been having a lot of fun messing with her head. > > Enjoy, > Steven Haha! Same with Dominic! (He’s also 14). We’ll say something and he will be like “are you talking about–HEEEEY!!!” and look all offended or embarrassed. Heh.