Life with a ten year old.

It's now been 3 1/2 months since my brother came to live with me. The world of ten year olds is so new to me. I mean they are looking at girls and telling me he likes one of them and of course I say girlfriends at your age isn't a good idea. He is also self sufficient for the most part which then makes me think he isn't a child, but in my head I know he is and needs to beloved like all children deserve. But then when I look at him I see a child that is older and can do it him self. Its an on going battle with my mind. Weird I know. I am also getting to the point where I can hug him and tell him I love him and I mean it, and its not just because he wants to hear it. I also see my mother instincts come out when I think some one is letting him down or has the chance to so I step in and try to stop it before they do. They think I am the bad guy, but I am just protecting a child that doesn' t need any more disappointment in his life right now. SO we are making it and I know it takes time and that we have some on our side I hope and one day we will look back on this and laugh.