Parenting Teenagers...



 "Frustrated Teenager" by imagerymajestic via freedigitalphotos.net


Listen to any parent say "I have a teenager" and suddenly, it's simply the worst news another person has heard. 

 The response usually goes like this:

After a dramatic eye roll and head shake, they sigh...

If they have a teenager too, most will regain eye contact, and hold it, as if attempting to connect with  you in some way...probably hoping (praying) you feel the same pain they do...

After a smirk, and maybe a chuckle, they'll usually say one of two things: 

"Ahhhhh, yeahhhhh, sheesh, I do too..."

They might begin to rant about something most teens do, or gripe about how it's tough and maybe how their teenager is just hard to please; finding it difficult to help and discipline them as well.

I feel rotten when I don't actually think before I reply. I love parenting my teen and she is actually one of my best friends.... and not in the shopping, concert-attending way.

Yes, I love being the mother of a 16 year old.

When I reply in my bubbly manner, "Yeah, she's great! She isn't into all that- she's not a typical teenager" I'm instantly perceived as a liar, weird or quickly become unfriended and unliked.

That's when I realize they don't understand. 

So then I go through the checklist of things she doesn't have:
  • Instagram 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • IPad
  • Driver's permit
  • Boyfriend
  • Attitude

What's so bad about that?

Is my teenager perfect?  !&%# no.
Is she going to go through some tough times? OH yes. She's human. Will my other two children (her younger siblings) be as well behaved as her? Not sure on that last one, the verdict is still out...I hope so, but realistically, I might not get that lucky. --- To Be Continued.....

I'm sure that at some point, I've somehow contributed to my teen's good behavior and demeanor, and when I figure out exactly what it, is I'll share it. But, in the meantime, meet my high school sophmore as she debuts her new blog, where she talks about life from the point of view of a not-so-typical teen:

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