It is blog post writing time and I feel as though there is nothing to share…or, maybe it is a lack of motivation brought on by having to say goodbye to my daughter today. I won’t see her for another month and, well, that’s kind of hard. Okay, a lot hard. I know, it’s only a month…still though…
Of my two, she is the one who drives me crazy the fastest and yet endears herself to me so stinking hard. Oh, I love my son just as much; it’s just that he is different. Mr. Slow and Steady, he’s content to be to himself, doesn’t like a lot of change and prefers the same day-to-day schedule. I am a lot like him and together, we enjoy the peace and companionship of one another. She comes along and, like a hurricane, disrupts the continuity of the quiet life her brother and I have established,
For me, that’s a good thing, even if I don’t feel it is. Often, my son and I are too set in our routine and become too introverted. She shakes me out of that routine and it’s like the breath of fresh air I didn’t realize I needed. We go out to eat; we talk for hours about anything and everything; we make random trips to the grocery store, buy food we rarely get or have never tried and then have a blast discussing what we’re eating; we play pickle-ball, throw a Frisbee, take impromptu drives and sing along to our favorite music. It’s like time stands still and we enjoy those moments we have together.
But it’s not always like that. She is an intense person who sets high standards for herself and those around her and that has often been a source of conflict for us. I tend to be a lot more laid-back, which drives her crazy; she critiques, quite often, what or how I do or say things, which drives me bonkers. Yet, I love her for it; though I haven’t always had happy feelings about this part of her personality and have made plenty of parenting mistakes.
I wanted to make sure she learned to respect her elders but, oftentimes, my own approach was irritating and put her on the defense.
I am slowly learning, though, that for her, it is important she feels she is making a difference in the lives of those close to her. There is satisfaction and a sense of purpose when she sees someone benefited through the knowledge she shares. While sometimes I still have to guide her through the appropriate ways of giving advice, I love the leadership qualities I see developing in her. It has made me realize that we as parents can sometimes learn a few things from our teenagers. No one will be quite so honest and forthright as the ones closest to us, that’s for sure!
As I drove away earlier today, my eyes became wet and I felt sadness in my heart with the thought of her going in the opposite direction, but I hold her close each and every day.
And I thank God for my fiery, sweet girl who makes life all the more fulfilling!
OneMunchingMomma 
Wow, you have no idea how close this hits to home. As you know, we have one who also gives his advice freely and not always respectfully. I bristle, he sasses, and so on and on. He has good insight, but the delivery…often is lacking.
Parenting teens is very difficult, as they feel like they are adults and have no need of input. The struggles are huge at times.
Your post did help me. My approach is natural to me, yet does spark conflict, however unintentional. It’s a two way street, and we have to learn to give and take.
I think we need more prayer than we realized!
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Amen to the prayer!
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