I thought it was hard in 1990. We didn't have social media. We didn't have a computer in our house, let alone in our bedroom. We did have the opportunity to make bad choices. And we made them. But the consequences didn't seem as dire.... The potential for disaster, not as extreme.
Of course, now I am the parent... not the teenager. I am on the worrying side, Not the 'Don't worry!' side...
Trust is given, and taken, and abused and re-earned. Temptations and choices and distractions descend. I remember my heart breaking open in my chest the day my mother said, "I am just so disappointed".... And I remember my heart re-breaking in that same chest 20 years later when I said the same words...
Nothing is unfixable. Nothing is too late, too hard, too much. That heart is not broken, and it will always be open and full of love. Being a teenager is not always awesome... It sucked in 1990 and it sucks in 2012. It is hard and confusing and filled with extremes. Our job is to just hang in there. Just hold on and help them get through. NO matter what stupid shit they get up to. And you know what? MY teenager will always be Awesome.
You nailed it !! And you are so right - whether you are the teenager or the parent - it is bloody hard work ! Even though K is out of her teens, I am still finding it hard work - it is getting easier but it is by no means an easy.
ReplyDeleteI love that he is awesome no matter what - and that is how it should be.
Have the best week !
Me
I would never want a do over of my teen years. It was crazy hard then and I can imagine in this world now it would be harder, may be even break me. Your teenager is so lucky to have such a great mumma who says, knows and feels he will always be awesome. Such a lovely picture of the two of you.
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