I {and our other mentor moms} could not be more excited to launch this site, especially designed for moms parenting kids between double digits and the empty nest. With four kids, all of whom are teenagers, I found this season of parenting to be the most challenging. And, I was fairly certain I was not alone in feeling that way.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. ~Proverbs 22:6
So often we hear that verse and think that we know how we want our children to turn out so that is how we should steer them. This verse is actually talking about your child’s natural bent, the way God designed them and how we, as parents, can nurture and develop the one of a kind, unique person God created them to be as they proceed toward adulthood.
Teens and tweens are approaching the time in their lives {quicker than us mama’s may desire} where they need to exert their independence and discover themselves. Our role as parents in that journey is to support, offer guidance and offer consistent, clear boundaries.
Knowing that other moms are facing the same challenges as me {moody kids, boys that think showers are a waste of time, girl drama moments,peer pressure, growth spurts that happen overnight, shuffling kids to a bazillion activities, sarcastic mouths, etc.} gives me hope and strength to continue on this journey of parenting older kids.
My prayer for this site is that you will be encouraged, supported and educated as we travel the road of raising almost-adults. Please explore the site and feel free to give us feedback on what you hope to see or would like to see here.
We will be celebrating our launch this week with a giveaway each day. Today we are giving away a copy of the book, Why Christian Kids Rebel by Dr. Tim Kimmel. I have read this book and found it to be a great resource for knowing what is “normal” teenage rebellion and what is cause for concern {and the answers may surprise you!} 
Mandatory entry:
Leave a comment letting us know how old your kids are and what is the biggest challenge you face in parenting them!
Extra entries {leave a comment for each}:
- Subscribe to our RSS feed.
- Subscribe via email by entering your email in the box in the right sidebar.
- Like our Facebook page.
- Follow us on Twitter.
A winner will be announced tomorrow at 10amEST.
Welcome to InBe’Tween Moms! We look forward to getting to know our readers and making this site a resource for this precarious stage of parenting!
**updated** the winner of the book is Karen. Please email me at kmelissasmallwood@gmail.com with your mailing address!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
20,11, 9, 6, 6, Hardest thing we are going through is SMART MOUTH and EYE ROLL man that sets me off so fast
Conlin, AKA, the conman, is 6 and Klayton is 15. Our oldest has traveled without us for up to 3 weeks at a time during the summer to attend wonderful programs since he was 10. He has made great choices with his friends and never really any major problems. He did sneak out once, but that was to go to school after I told him to stay home due to a fever. Yes we are very blessed. He is a wonderful child and I am not complaining. But then we have our little Conman. We are becoming foster parents and have shared this with our boys and keep them in the “program” for preparing for this. During this time our youngest has soon some things I don’t like and never had to deal with before. He is lying and stealing. He sneaks into other rooms and takes things that are not his and lies when you tell him he is caught. We found quite stash under his bed. And Big Brother loves to play parent and go after him when he finds things he has taken. How do you explain to a 15 year old you can’t hold a 6 year old to the same standards?!?!?!?!
I have 13,11,9 and 7 yr olds. The biggest challenge I face in parenting them is worrying that I am not doing the right thing. I want to bring them up to be Godly men and women, I worry that I am not steering them in the right direction. I have liked the fb page, and put in my email to recieve updates.
Karen you are the winner of the giveaway. Please email me your mailing address to kmelissasmallwood at gmail.com
My kids are 26, 20,18. Then I have a 22 yr old step daughter that lives with us, she is autistic. And another step daughter, 20 who is in college and lives with her mom.
The hardest thing I have had to parent through is depression and attempted suicide. I’d really rather have said a messy room! He survived, but still struggles.
I have dealt with mental health issues with my 18 year old. I will be praying for you..I’m not sure there is anything more difficult than watching our child hurt and not being able to fix it.
I’ve been looking for a site that centers around these aged kids! Glad to have found you. I have entered my email into the side bar on the right.
My kids are nowhere near being teenagers (5, 3, and 8 months), but I worry already about all the things they will face when they get there. What a great site!!
Melissa, CONGRATULATIONS on getting your site up and going. Very exciting. I have 3 girls, ages 21, 11, and 9….all very different personalities!! My biggest concern is keeping them all plugged into God!