"what to expect when..."

"raising a pre-teen" You know those "what to expect when expecting" & "what to expect the toddler years" books? Oh how I wish someone would write one for those of us trying to figure out what's become of our "normal" kids.  He's my first born, I have zero point of reference and no friends with boys that are older than him.  I need someone to bounce ideas & questions off of.  In those "Expecting" books you could see how much your baby was growing each month and when it was getting finger nails, how much weight you "should" be gaining and what you might expect your emotions to be each month. Where is that book now? I need one to tell me why my kid stinks every day, even though he didn't do anything. How much deodorant is too much?  Why is getting them to brush their teeth such a battle? Why can't they keep their darn shoe laces tied?  Why do they drop their backpacks in the middle of the hallway once they come home from school? Please tell me you all have had these same questions?  I often find that I am repeating myself over & over, all the while getting louder & louder and when that doesn't work I beat my head against the wall...or I have a glass of wine. Cheers to you moms, working every day/all day to raise well-rounded, good, honest kids. It's a tough job but I know we can do it, together!!!