In this episode of the Becoming You podcast, my son Arya is back yet again for another fantastic conversation about life as a tween!

Since you just started middle school, what do you love about it?

Arya: We have more freedom since we get to pick our electives. It’s also a bit more challenging, which I also like. I’ve also made a lot of friends.

What are some challenges that you’ve faced in middle school so far?

Arya: I don’t want to get too specific, but friend drama. Everybody’s also taller than me.

How do you find having to walk from classroom to classroom now, unlike in elementary when you were stuck in just one room?

Arya: It was challenging, but you get used to it after a while. You find the fastest routes to take eventually. I also find it frustrating that not all the kids want to learn anymore.

We also talked about trying to see things from their perspective. Did that practice help at all?

Arya: Not really. I still try to look at things from their perspective, and I sort of did but it didn’t really help. But I do have a little more empathy and compassion for them.

What’s sucked about COVID after three years?

Arya: Literally every aspect of it. But the thing that sucked the most was not being able to see people except my family. For a long time, we could only see each other through Zoom.

What was something that pleasantly surprised you about COVID?

Arya: Well, the fact that I felt more together with people. I felt closer to people when I was away from them. During the first lockdown, every Saturday we held a Zoom call with all of our cousins. We also got a dog, Cosmo, out of it, which was really awesome because that helped me cope a little bit more.

I would say that something that surprised me about COVID was how much we connected to nature. We took a lot of walks and hikes. Cosmo forced us to exercise. So, moving on, what do you see yourself doing in the future?

Arya: I see myself going to Harvard in the future. I also see myself working at the Smithsonian. I want to be a historian. That would be cool. I think Chinese would help me with that because I could specialize in Chinese artifacts.

That’s professionally. What else do you see for yourself in the future?

Arya: Playing video games!

What’s the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to you?

Arya: Cosmo and our last few Christmases!

What makes you feel brave?

Arya: When I’m around people like my friends and my family. That makes me feel brave.

What do you look forward to when you wake up?

Arya: Getting home from school. But I also look forward to seeing my friends and teachers in school.

How do you show people you care?

Arya: With my family, by telling them I love them and helping them with stuff. With my friends, I joke with them.

What makes you awesome?

Arya: Every single aspect of me. I’m awesome. There’s no one thing.

What are some ways you show yourself that you love yourself?

Arya: Reading, ‘cause it’s like watching Netflix on a Sunday night. Reading’s that for me.

What are some boundaries that make you feel safe?

Arya: Nobody looks over my shoulder when I’m playing video games. Nobody walks into my room or bathroom when I’m taking a shower. With my friends,

What are some boundaries that we, as a family, have a hard time respecting?

Arya: One hour of TV time. I go over it every single time!

What’s a boundary you have that we as a family have a hard time respecting?

Arya: I don’t know. You guys respect my boundaries pretty well.

What do you do when you have a friend asking you to keep a secret that you’re not comfortable keeping?

Arya: If it’s abuse, I’d go straight to you and talk about it. Even if my friend is super upset and ends their friendship with me,

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