As a parent, I have taken to assigning nicknames to each developmental stage my children experience. We’re all familiar with terms like the terrible twos, the tumultuous threes, and the fierce fours. Then come the frustrating fives (seriously, when will they move past this?), and the chaotic sixes (especially with my newly turned 6-year-old spirited twin boys). Yet, I have now discovered my new favorite stage: the sociable and sensitive sevens.
My eldest son embodies everything that is quintessentially 7 years old. He is humorous, courageous, cheeky, independent, determined, compassionate, and a little mischievous—all packed into one endearing package. I anticipated the typical challenges: mediating disputes, negotiating screen time, and having discussions about vegetable consumption that felt akin to international diplomacy.
What took me by surprise, however, was his remarkable intelligence and maturity, which he willingly shares with me. He engages with strangers effortlessly, articulates his opinions, and demonstrates respect toward service workers. On occasions, he becomes so engrossed in the world around him that he hardly has time to sulk about being sent to his room for misbehavior.
He has been following the political landscape keenly, watching news segments independently and forming his own views. When I mentioned my desire to volunteer for a campaign, he eagerly expressed his wish to join me. He willingly sacrificed weekend time to campaign door-to-door, embracing the opportunity to learn about civics in the most impactful way—through real-life experiences rather than just textbooks.
Mornings after political debates are often filled with his summaries and my husband’s amused reactions, as he acknowledges our son’s insightful observations. Although he was disappointed to hear he couldn’t attend an upcoming rally with us, he accepted it with grace: “That’s fine, but the babysitter will let me watch it on TV, right?”
He has witnessed the charitable actions my husband and I have engaged in over the years, whether it was volunteering our time, buying a meal for someone in need, or sharing our extra groceries with those less fortunate. He recently filled out a donation envelope for a foundation we support, and my husband is helping him write the check.
After attending a local event, he encountered a hungry man on the street and immediately gave him all the change from his pockets. We then discussed the significance of his decision and how it could provide nourishment to someone in need. Later that evening, my son shared a touching thought: “Mom, I don’t have to make a difference for everyone, just someone.”
The following day, his grandmother gifted him a small bill, reminding him to save some for himself and to treat himself as well.
While tucking him in after our recent vacation, I asked him to share his favorite moments. The highlights included seeing the Liberty Bell because “it’s made of Liberty,” visiting Independence Hall—“that’s where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and we became a country”—and, of course, attending an MLB game.
As parents, we often get swept up in our children’s vibrant personalities and start to speculate about their future careers. I have no doubt this budding activist has a promising future ahead of him, making a significant impact on many lives, as he has already profoundly affected mine.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to intervene in a dispute over lost Lego pieces.
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Summary:
At age 7, children can exhibit remarkable growth in intelligence, compassion, and civic engagement. This stage invites parents to embrace their children’s newfound maturity and independence while fostering their interests and values.
Keyphrase: Age 7 Parenting
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