J has just started secondary school and along with it has come 'the attitude.' Everyone tells you that you should remain close to your kids so they can tell you what they're experiencing, but when they're a grunting mass of arsiness, it's not easy. I used to be able to find things to do that we both enjoyed, and that tipped the balance, but those things are becoming fewer and further in between. Anyway, this is a general grumble and partly beside the point.
One thing that has made J happy is that he has a 'girlfriend.' It's quite innocent - a year ago he'd have just called her his friend, I think. The girl in question, D, seems very nice but is much more mature than J and, AFAICS takes her lead on "dating" from High School Musical. So, for example, she wanted them to go to the cinema to see HSM. I spoke to her Mum and we agreed that they could go with their friends, I would take them and she would fetch them back. D wanted them to share a drink with two straws, and I think they had a hug, but I am fairly sure it was very innocent. It's pretty clear that she's leading the "dating" in terms of expectation, because J thinks about football 99% of the time and nothing much else 
He really is a little boy.
Now Christmas is coming up, she's told him she wants a ring 
J has found an Elizabeth Duke one in the Argos book that costs £10 () He's saved up his pocket money to buy it, but he wants me to go and pick it up for him.
So, what do you think? Cute and innocent? Or weird and innapropriate for 11 year olds (which, by it's consequence would also give us something else to disagree over)
I'm completely torn.
If anyone finds the manual please can you return it to me