When the grouch sets in

Innocent happy kids.

Grouchy restless teens.

Somewhere in between, there is a gradual transition that I think many parents tend to miss. All of a sudden, your happy-go-lucky toddler/child/youngster has turned into a sulky, unhappy mess who mopes about and whispers about how boring outings are, how they want to go back home to their PCs/TVs/iPads. The difference between our time and the present is that everyone one of them has their own personal entertainment device with them wherever they go - meaning instead of groaning and pulling long faces, they just bury themselves into their iPhones, which is actually worse. What happened to regular conversation.

I'm keeping an eye on Nigel as I think that change is happening soon. Shannon and Amber are still ever happy, ever willing to smile - but I think Nigel is slowly losing his shine.