As our children become Teenagers
By dodiewayne
@dodiewayne (70)
United States
January 12, 2008 10:52pm CST
As the mother of five teenagers, I think back to the times when my children were toddlers. Back then I thought that when "the kids" got a little older, things would be easier. You see all of my children were "stair-steps", the first being born in '88 and then '90,'91,'92 and '93. I really thought that once they were all out of diapers and bottles, could go to school, could do things for themselves, that things would be much less hectic.
Boy was I wrong! I cherish the days of diapers! Now my worries have went from diapers to jobs, boyfriends, girlfriends, cell phones, computers, stylish clothing, skate boards, taxi service and so on. Most of all, I worry that the time for them to leave home and go out on their own is coming near.
Parents, please cherish every single moment you have with your little ones. Even the sleepless nights of colic and the dirty underwear. These are times that you will never forget and ones that, sooner or later, you will wish could return.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
13 Jan 08
"These are times that you will never forget and ones that, sooner or later, you will wish could return"
OH AINT THAT THE TRUTH!! My son turned 14 back in Oct and my daughter is going to be 13 in May and I have to tell you that as much as I LOVE watchign them grow up to be wonderful young adults..I REALLY REALLY MISS when they were dependant and itty bitty...
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Okay I dont think I can go as far as to say I miss Barney (or Teletubbies LOL) BUT I get what you are saying LOL ;-)
@dodiewayne (70)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Oh I do agree! (hahaha) I had to watch Barney devotedly through all five of my children!
@dodiewayne (70)
• United States
13 Jan 08
Oh I totally agree! I miss the days full of Barney, colors, hide and seek, goofy faces....gotta love 'em!
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
14 Jan 08
That is so true, as the age you realize the problems don't go away, they just change. And as they get older you realize that you have less and less control over their lives.
@dodiewayne (70)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Yes, and their problems get more complicated. I find myself thinking "if they would have only listened". But...you know we are parents and what would we know about the problems of a teenager. Sometimes I think my kids think that I was born a Mom.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
14 Jan 08
You are soooo right! My boys are 24 and 21, and yes, I miss those days of running them around to the different games/practices, friends houses, the mall. My youngest is in the Navy and in November he came home for a month - it was the first time we'd seen him in 2 years. I tell people to cherish those "hard" times also!
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
13 Jan 08
i couldn't agree more.sorry i had to laugh as these are my thoughts also.they certainly were less complicated way back then ,even through the terrible 2's .now they are terrible teenagers and the dramas that go with them are endless.i also have the boyfriends ,the taxi service,the visits to the principles office.i think i rather be chasing a active 2 year old around.cheers sue
@dodiewayne (70)
• United States
13 Jan 08
I had to sit back and laugh when I read this! I totally forgot about(although I dont know how I forgot) the trips to the principles office! Oh my - when my daughter was in the 10th grade, I swear I was in the office everyday! I think she had to argue with everyone.
@corilat (180)
• Australia
13 Jan 08
Wow! Society today certainly is more complicated than it used to be.
But although now with teens you have more important issues to deal with, I hope you can at the same time still enjoy your kids more, now that they are thinking for themselves, growing up, learning to become more independent and gaining from everything you've taught them. I hope there's more enjoyment, but in a different way.
I don't have kids of my own, but I'm thinking that as babies, they'd be very cute and cuddly but it is more the parent giving and the child gaining. Whereas as they grow up, they start to reciprocate the love they've received and (I would hope) the parent therefore starts to finally see that all the hard work - diapering, sleepless nights etc, finally pays off? But maybe it takes longer than teenagers to really see this - until the child finally starts a family/life of his own. What's your experienced opinion?
@dodiewayne (70)
• United States
13 Jan 08
In my experience with my teens, I have found that each one varies. Each one has their own personality. Take for instance my younges: He is still the loving child he has always been. He is not ashamed of showing affection (which I find awesome because most boys will not kiss their mother any more, at least until they are grown). Now, my other son he is more a free spirit and has a small problem with his priorities. He feels that his friends come before anyone (even his girlfiend of almost 2 years). If I wont allow his friends to come and go as they please then he just doesnt want to come home.
Now the tables are turned when it comes to my girls. One is very quiet, the other is a "hell raiser" and the other is a daddys girl. But all of them show their love for us in abundance.
I guess sometimes I feel as they are growing up, I am losing them. Although these are the times I was looking forward to (them growing up and starting their own lives), it just seems much harder said than done.
Yes I do cherish every moment with them. There are so many memories.....=)
