Teens and Tweens

[PrincessFiona]

When Andrew started middle school, I ran into a mom whose youngest of 4 was staring middle school. I said "Oh, this must be so bittersweet for you. Are you doing ok?" She pretty much laughed and said "honey, they kick themselves out of the nest."

I was shocked. "What a terrible attitude for a mom to have" I thought. I felt smug. Clearly, I was just a better mom.

Let me be very clear. Adolescence was designed for children to kick themselves out of the nest...so that you are ready...READY to see them move on to the next phase of their lives.

If you just have a cute, perfect little baby at home, feel free to roll your eyes and smugly think that clearly, my feelings are the product of poor parenting and it will be different for you. It probably will. If you have adolescents....or have raised them...well....I heart you.

That is all.

Kris

[DCJenn]

Are you kidding? I don't know who was more ready for me to go to college- my parents or me.

and my aunt ON PURPOSE moved to a one bedroom apt. when my cousin left for freshman year.

Evolution, baby.

Jenn

[ladymoreta]

LOL - I definitely believe you! My sister and I were pretty good kids, and I know we had good parents, but those years were rough (and I even moved away for school when I was 16). I believe 16 is a good age to have that kind of independence. The school was very strict, so I couldn't get into too much trouble, but it got me away from my parents for those last couple of years before really being an "adult", and I think our relationship was much better for it. The strain between my sister and my parents was a lot more, should we say, pronounced...

One of DH's nurses said exactly that about her son leaving for college.

[Ladybug]

My mom always said that the struggles of adolescents are necessary, otherwise they would never leave the house. Everyone is ready by the end.

Hang in there Kris. I was a real peach of an teenager. I soooooooooooo have it coming.

[Phoebe]

I am bracing myself. For the struggles I have now, I can't even imagine what we will be facing during adolescence. I was strong-willed as a teenager on a few things, but I was a good student and I didn't get into trouble much. It must be my husband who needs the payback.

[Meenah]

Where is the big hug icon?

[peggyfromwastate]

Sigh... That's all I can say. I can't say I'm looking forward to 4 more trips down adolescent lane...

[DCJenn]

Two Words:

Boarding School.

Jenn

[houseelf]

You all scare me!

Kelly

[HouseofWool]

Two Words:

Boarding School.

Jenn

You crack me up!

[Thirteen]

Man, is that true? Am I going to get it doubly what I gave?

Oh man! The parent curse works!!

[peggyfromwastate]

We have actually discussed this. And not just "We'll send you to boarding school"...

One of my cousins was sent to boarding school in NYC... She LOVED it. I thought is was strange, but I'm starting to see the wisdom of my aunt and uncle...

[peggyfromwastate]

Man, is that true? Am I going to get it doubly what I gave?

Oh man! The parent curse works!!

Probably not. From what I can tell, Kate is *just like* my mom was when she was a kid. And my poor sweet grandma tried *everything* to get her to be less of a rebel. At the uber-conservative fundamentalist Christian college they sent her to, she almost got kicked out for sitting in a tree smoking a cigar during worship services... in full view of everyone.

That was then. I can't even think about what trouble she'd get into now...

Of course, all anecdotes...

[PrincessFiona]

Peggy, Clearly a summer at grandmas house is in order!!!

Kris