Eleven year old boys are no longer infants, not yet men.

Eleven year old boys have rooms that smell like wet sand shoes, or old washing, or wet cat fur.

Eleven year old boys no longer care that ’stuff’ is all over the floor in their room.

Eleven year olds will leave school lunches in their bags for weeks unless you check the bag yourself. Asking “Where is your lunch box – and what is that smell?” will not produce the desired result.

Eleven year old boys begin their first sentence of their day “You know how they say there is no such thing as a V6 turbo diesel…” Instead of  “Good Morning, Mum, How did you sleep?”

Eleven year old boys have questions that only their Dad can answer.

Eleven year old boys seem to grow a centimetre a day and have developed the skills required to inhale the contents of the refrigerator in one meal.

Eleven year old boys need constant nagging to brush hair, teeth and actually use shampoo.

Eleven year old boys will not choose which new jocks to buy whilst (somebody else’s) mother and 3 girls are in the same aisle at Big W.

Eleven year old boys are old enough to cook meals and can do so with a basic cook book and sidelined supervision.

Eleven year old boys secretly do care that this will make them a good husband, someday. (It will also set you in good steed with future daughter in law, but we won’t go there)

Eleven year old boys will still want cuddles, to hold your hand, sometimes cry and need their mothers, at a time that suits them, not the mother. 

Eleven year olds still kiss goodnight.

I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
As long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.

Robert Munsch