Teenage Daughters

Oh Boy!! Living with Teens can be the most daunting but rewarding era as a Mum. In fact I feel like I live in a combat zone filled with snipers…..never knowing where the next shot will come from.

Lets start with 12 yrs of age. OMG! The hormones start and life as we know it…….ends. For instance, my daughter. She’s 12 and a half. For the last 6 months I have been the carer of a shrieking, temper tantrum chucking, disrespectful, wilful girl who acts like she’s 16 going on 20 yrs. I say I’m the carer because I’m certain that the beautiful pleasant daughter who I gave birth to, swapped bodies with an evil alien. It is only lately that I am seeing glimpses of my beautiful daughter again.

She has taken to wearing armour to school just to deal with peer pressure. Who would of thought, Year 8s wearing eyeliner, foundation, mascara just to fit in. Hair styles of course are big. so in comes the black hair with funky tips, Piercing is a plus in any girls accessories and they don’t mean ears. Facial & body piercing need apply. Clothing isn’t a huge issue……..as long as its black with pink/purple highlights. Shoes, well she’s always had a shoe fetish since she could walk, she would give Melda a run for her money given the chance.

Boys, now theres a nightmare. I’ve noticed that boy/girl relationships start at a very young age. In primary school of all things. Now she is being asked out by 14 and 15yr olds. Of course there is hell to pay when I find out. And her brothers, well talk about protective. Needless to say her boyfriends don’t last more than a few hours. I have a few friends who are facing the new status of GRANDPARENT with the new mothers-to-be still at school. Are this generation taking us back to ancient times of parenthood beginning at 14yrs? Or has it always been this way? I am definately not ready for this so boys are a no no.

Aside from the alien abduction, I can also see she is beginning to fit into her new skin as a young woman. She’s an independant thinker and more than able to stand up for herself. She’s also learnt to use the washing machine, negotiate contracts for pocket money and that school doesn’t like individualism unless its academic/sports based.

Living in a combat zone will continue for a while yet, but at least I can see harmony in the future.

Living with Teenagers

Oh WOW!! What a nightmare! Why weren't we given a manual on raising children with a warning on cover 'WARNING! All babies grown into monster teenagers.'

Being a single mum of 3 teenagers, there are times when I dream of getting in my car and driving away to destination unknown. Lets face it though, DREAMING of doing something and ACTUALLY doing it are 2 very different things. After all....we chose to be parents (and don't tell me you didn't choose. You chose to have sex therefore you chose to be a parent). Our children are our responsibility alway were and always will be. Its our job to guide them and teach them courtesy, manners, good morals and most of all respect.

As a baby and toddler they look to us for care, love, nourishment and shelter. As they grow we teach them to walk, talk, and right from wrong. At school age they also learn from other students, teachers and mentors. It is still our responsibility to ensure they continue to know right from wrong and to have respect for theirselves and others. We still need to recognise their individuallity along the way and teach them independence.

WHY then, do some parents stop guiding their children when they become a teenager? Do we, as parents, become too busy keeping up with the Jones' or is it that our children are under pressure we never had to deal with at their age and we feel 'lost'?

Over the years, I've learnt to keep the communication open with my teens. I've also learnt to pick my battles. Patience is a virtue so they say. My house has also become a half-way house for other teens who's parents have told them to leave or they've runaway. My kids collect stray teens like others collect stray cats/dogs.

So WHY do babies turn into MONSTER teenagers? Hormones, peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, depression (usually from having to cope with things beyond their age), school bullying from both students and teachers. Rest assured though, the monstor teenager stage only lasts 2-4 years then you get your child back. :)