13 Going on 30

For all the times I whine about my kids whining, there's a whole other side I often neglect to mention.    The things that they do that amaze me that are beyond their years.  The things that I didn't learn until I was well into in my 30's. And I'm completely amazed by them.  Things like:

CURIOSITY:

My kids never shy away from asking a question.  Ever.  Especially if it's "What's for dinner?"

SOCIABILITY:

Despite being raised by a shy introvert, I have some kids who are sociable extroverts.  They can talk to both kids and adults and hold an intelligent conversation.  Who did they learn this from?

UNIQUENESS:

My kids are comfortable in their quirkiness.  Although they are still completely embarrassed by mine.

PROBLEM SOLVERS:

I'm a quiet panicker when problems arise. It's my kids who are the ones who come up with the best solutions.  I have them brain storming on world peace right now.

EXPRESSIVE:

My kids will express every need they have.  Every single one.  I couldn't even make a list of my needs, let alone articulate them.

SELF-CONFIDENT:

When I go to compliment my kids for these things, their response is usually "I know mom." Not in a cocky way, but in a confident way.

DISOBEY AUTHORITY:

Sure, my kids know how to obey authority.  But, even more important, they know when to politely disobey authority when they suspect the authority figure is a misguided idiot.  And how many of those are there out there?

So basically, we've reached the point where I'm learning just as much from my kids, if not more,  than they are from me.  They are well on their way to being the people I always wanted them to be, independent thinkers.  

Now, if I could only get them to think they like squash...