My littel girl will be 12 next week. I can say with certainly that while some of the days drag on, the years are flying by. Just a couple of things, I started saving for college right away, I have learned that she is her own person (I like basketball, she likes swim). One of the qualities you want/need to develop if you have a girl is simply to listen, she usually will come to a good decision. As far as disipline, I have worked hard to make sure my daughter knows that she might get in trouble, but it doesn't change are relationship (but might diminsh her use of the IPad).