When Did This Happen?

Double dating with my teen……it seems like yesterday when I was taking her to baby swim class!

Navigating the teen years is something I had anticipated would be a struggle. While we have had our ups and downs it hasn’t been nearly as terrible as I had imagined it would be. My girl stumbled some with the transition to high school but as of the writing of this post it seems she has learned from the mistakes of the last year. I have learned it is important to let her stumble, pick herself up, and keep moving forward.

Not to say everything is roses and rainbows, but keeping in mind all that is happening in her life is important to her and that her feelings are valid helps to keep things in perspective. In the grand scheme of things a lot of it is just a blip in her life, for now it is all she knows. As much as I want her to be aware and to recognize that some of the decisions she is making now can and will have long term effects. I still want her to enjoy her time and to take advantage of the fact that she is still under our care and while she may not always understand why I make some decisions, it is all out of love and care for her.

To me, parenting a teenager is much like a rollercoaster ride. I am buckled in and the end is just over the next big drop from the top. Time is fleeting on this ride, I know that if I want to enjoy it for what it is I need to sit back, relax a little, be ready for the unexpected, and savor every moment I can.