Confessions of a Mom Raising Teens

by melissa on April 29, 2012

I’m a weary, worn-out mama.

I thought {mistakenly} that raising teens/young adults would be easier than littles.

I remember how excited I was when my youngest was finally potty trained and we said goodbye to diapers.  And, when they could tie their own shoes and wash their own hair?  I thought it couldn’t get any better than that!

These days I am completely relating to a saying I once heard “little kids are physically exhausting to raise while teens are mentally exhausting”.  I would add teens are spiritually and emotionally exhausting as well.

Don’t get me wrong…I am not knocking the moms in the trenches of bottles, late night feedings and toddler tantrums. I remember those days vividly!  And, I know those days are hard.

Toddler in Bathrobe Flickr

Toddler in Bathrobe Flickr (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These days are hard too. 

And I have far less control of the outcome.

The people they date.

The friends they choose.

The decisions that will affect their future.

My kids are spending a lot of time pushing, stretching, and tap dancing on the limits their dad and I set.

Some days, like yesterday for example, when I actually got mad enough that I threw a sneaker at my 15 year old {yes, I apologized} we just look at each other and say “What now?”

I don’t have a lick of advice to offer another parent when I feel like I’m the most inadequate mother on the planet.

At this point, I’m going to do the only thing I know to do when you have reached the end of your proverbial parenting rope…

get on my knees and have a conference call with the Ultimate Parent.

What do you do when parenting knocks you down?

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In It Together~ Helpful links for raising teens/tweens

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Supporting Your Child While She Changes at Faith, Family and Fibro. Mother of the Bride Fashion at Walking in Grace and Beauty. Ten Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls at Kate Elizabeth Conner. Dear Boys at Kate Elizabeth Conner. What I Would Tell My 14 year old Self at The Housewife Rookie. Have you [...]

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Getting Your Teens Active

April 19, 2012

Sometimes it is difficult to inspire our teens or tweens to do anything, let alone become more active in their life!  That is exactly why I am giving you 5 tips for today – easy ways to motivate your child to actually get excited about exercise!  You will find them practical and useful, as you [...]

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Teens Need Space

April 11, 2012
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“Please leave me alone” “I need to get away” “Give me some space” These are phrases I am hearing a lot around my house lately.  With four young adult and teen kids, conflict does arise. Now don’t get me wrong, my kids are usually respectful and obedient children.  But, lately, they seem to really need [...]

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Do You Think Your Teen is Awesome?

April 4, 2012

Remember when your teen was tiny and you used to get so excited over the least little thing – the first step, the first word, how cute they looked sleeping with their little butts in the air, how adorable and snuggly they would be first thing in the morning?   I’ll wager its been a [...]

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In It Together~ {helpful links for raising teens/tweens}

April 2, 2012
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Why the World Will Never See Me as a Good Parent at We are THAT Family.  I pray the same is said for our family as well. Are You a Better Wife or Mom? at To Love, Honor and Vacuum.  I used to think that I had to be a good mom first and foremost.  [...]

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Talking about the Trayvon Martin murder with your teens

March 24, 2012

On February 26, 2012 Trayvon Martin was murdered.  He wasn’t accidentally killed, he wasn’t shot in self defense- Trayvon Martin was gunned down because he was a young black male.  A young black male taking a walk, talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone, carrying Skittles in his pocket.  {To read about the details [...]

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Tattoos~ What’s a Mama to do?

March 21, 2012
Fitness and Tattoos

My 18 {about to be 19} year old son went to basic training in October.  When he left for training his recruiter said he couldn’t have a tattoo until he was enlisted and then the army has rules about where the tattoos can be, etc.  My mama heart had hoped he would come back with [...]

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In It Together~ {helpful links for raising teens/tweens}

March 19, 2012
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My Regrets, God’s Redemption at No Greater Joy Mom.  A moving story of God’s redemptive power and His plan for marriage.  Share this with your kids! Today’s Teens Don’t Have to be Social Misfits at My Home Sweet Home.  Fitting in doesn’t have to mean giving up your values.  Great reminder! Honoring the High Schooler [...]

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Will Your Teen Follow God?

March 10, 2012
English: Faith Lutheran Church 1908 (Junction ...

Why do I worry about my teens relationship with God? Statistics show that more than 50% of kids their age {13-17} attend church on a regular basis.  However, that number drops to less than 35% between 18-29. {Is it just me or is that number frighteningly low??} There are so many competing interests for my [...]

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