Last Updated on February 19, 2023 by Marie Bautista
Raising teenagers can be tough. As a mom of two teen daughters (a fifteen and a sixteen year old) – plus, of course I have an eight-year old boy still untainted from teenage angst-, I spend a lot of time reading on the best way I can raise them. I realized though that it is important to learn a thing or two from them, too. Here are some of what I learned from the Teendom School of Life:
Friendship doesn’t have to be hard.
So often, we worry about making a good impression, saying the right thing or being liked, but my teens showed me that sometimes just being friendly, understanding them (although not necessarily trying to act like them), and hanging out with them works wonders. I have seen them meeting with cousins they have not seen for a long time giggling, gossiping, dancing, taking crazy photos and gushing like they had known each other forever! And all it took was a pizza, a funeral (my dad’s) and a smile!
There is always something new and fun to learn.
As you grow older, raise a family, you become jaded and begin to think that you know it all, which can keep you from seeing life with curious wonder. My teens bombard me with questions and no matter how simple the question or answer was, they always seemed to think whatever they learned was absolutely fascinating. Whether you like it or not, you can’t know everything, so you can either stop learning and continue to bloom. It is really up to you
The difference between work and play is attitude.
My teens practically do everything-like study, do their share of housework, shop, baby sit their little brother-stuff we moms do everyday. But while we sometimes get cranky, complain and wish we were on an island paradise sipping fruit shakes, my gals made each “chore” seem like such fun just by chatting, singing, and laughing while they worked. I will definitely try their strategy the next time I am stressed with house and office work.
Don’t just dream. Do!
Some people are fine with just dreaming, while other people kick off the blankets, get on their feet and go after their dreams, whether that means being brave enough to try something new (like learn to surf which one of them wants to do) or write a book and have it published or learn French which Nicole is trying to do. I realized we can wish all we want, but we have also got to be willing to do the work when it is needed.
Teens Rule.
Okay, that is nothing new. Despite the dread of parents when their kids finally reach their teens, it is not difficult to convince any mom or dad that teens are actually smart, stylish, sweet, fun, friendly, kind, responsible, confident and with good heads on their shoulders. So this article is for my teens, for all the Nicoles and Paulas out there-and all other teens just like them!Taking Selfies.
Okay. I am not on that stage yet. Lol. But, if you are into photos and the wonderful, wacky effects that make your blah-photos look cool – like this caricatured photo:
 |
| PhotoJeepney |
Join my digital photofile giveaway here. Open Worldwide!
