make it through the teen years with my sanity intact

Then I’ll officially be out of the “teenage” category…but I think I can safely say I got through these last 6-7 relatively unscathed…well, there are a few scuffs and scrapes from some of these not-so-pleasant times…teenage angst, meh, who needs it? :)

when I started this goal, I was referring to surviving the teen years as the parent of teens.

Now I’m joined by teens hoping to survive these years.. Good luck! You’ll be fine.

At the beginning of summer he was slacking off, sleeping late and playing video games with his friends. He ended up working 3 jobs and saving almost all of his pay for a future truck purchase. I saw such a change in him in just a few months – responsible for making better use of his time, understanding the value of a dollar, minimizing the use of the Mom ATM^TM.

I’m hoping this will translate into a better school year – keeping my fingers crossed

driving test for son #1

how many more gray hairs does one person need????

Ok, so maybe “intact” is stretching the truth just a little bit, but I made it through with some sanity left! How’s that? :)

I believe that too much sanity is dangerous to one’s mental and emotional health. Sanity can function like a mental straight-jacket, keeping us from thinking freely and becoming ourselves.

So, maybe I lost whatever sanity I had after the teenage years once I reached “oldage” years? :)

with my currently 13 yo daughter…. definitely one to push push push the envelope.

I don’t think I’ll have a very hard time with this goal but I want to make sure that it really does happen. :)

this is my first summer working with kids – the older ones are supposed to be watching the younger one and doing their list of chores while I’m at work (I’m just working in the a.m.)

Today the oldest went off to xc practice and didn’t bring his key, so threw rocks at his sister’s window to wake her up. result – broken window. Did he even check the door first? No. I had left it open for him. I have to laugh – but not in front of them. Must go home and supervise a 15 yo replacing a pane of glass now. another good skill to learn for life right?

Eldest son got his learner’s permit over Christmas Break, and we must practice every chance we get. A little hair raising, but we started in a parking lot and graduated to driving around our neighborhood. I see improvement in both skill and confidence already, but I think I’ve added at least 100 new grey hairs!

Not sure I will make it in one piece. I’ve been “in” for 2.5 years now & won’t exit until 2019.

Spent the night chaparoning a girl scout lock in with 12 & 13 yo’s who spend way too much time together & know each other too well – no walls there to prevent anything & everything from just spilling out. My new co-leader this year is so calm, cool & collected. I’m learning a lot from her on how to handle the stuff that might just send me off the wall. She spent years as an aide in a emotionally disturbed classroom & says the teacher was always so calm & measured in her tone. I was amazed at the results of her approach when we had a major issue last night. You could have heard a pin drop in that room as she spoke to the girls, calmly called out the ones who had caused the problem & instructed them to rectify the situation.