I have three sons.  Soon to be in 8th, 7th and 4th grade.  I’m wondering,  has puberty has arrived simultaneously for all three?   The air feels different.  It’s heavier to me. 

My soon to be 8th grader has both feet planted in puberty. My soon to be 7th grader, has at least one foot, maybe two planted.  Though 14 months separate the older two boys, their height equals them.  My soon to be 4th grader is definitely teetering.  He is big and tall for nine.  Though, he is my baby, and I do not want to know if he is in puberty yet.  

I once asked our pediatrician if puberty is contagious - like when menstrual cycles/hormones among women in a home - align.  He said no, it's individual. Nonetheless, it’s apparent to me, puberty could be is contagious.  Puberty is hormonal. Boy or girl.  It feels like they are aligning to the same cycle.  On puberty’s imaginary plane…

They look the same to me.
Sullen. Dull. Disinterested. Detached.  

They talk the same too. 
Uninspiring, un-motivating half-sentences.  Wha? Huh? Uh? I dunno.  Whaddaya want?  I don’t wanna.  Eh.  So?  I heard you.  Stop.  Okay.  No.  I said no.

They’re eating the same foods. 
Pizza, hot pockets of various flavors, Doritos, Pringles… steak.  Beef Jerky.

They’re even doing the same things.   
They’re staying up later.  Sleeping in later.  Smiling less.  Thinking less.  Concentrating less.  Moving less.  Communicating less.    

I don’t take it personally, though I am curious.  
Amidst their moodiness, do they remember who I am?