Jul. 7, 2009 - Where can I sign up for Parenting Teens 101????
Now that my oldest is 13, I can FINALLY understand what all my "more experienced" parent friends have been telling me. "Parenting toddlers is PHYSICALLY exhausting, but parenting teens is MENTALLY and EMOTIONALLY exhausting." I'm with ya now! I'm sure 13 is just the tip of the iceburg, but it's definitely an adventure. = )
I'm really and truly enjoying it though. The good news is that he is a great kid, very helpful, obedient, hard working and great with little kids. The issue isn't at all with attitude or disrespect or anything like that, it's just all the changes seem overwhelming. He's grown about a foot this year and has passed me up.....in size 11 shoes....and lots of emotional/physical and spiritual changes. All of them are good and necessary, but it sure seems like the way God designed this age is almost overload with all the changes. Up til now, it's felt like a slow put steady ride in the parenting canoe, a bump here, some turbulence there, but overall enjoying the ride. All of a sudden the white water hits and everything is changing and "Whoa....hang on!!"
It's been great though....we've had a ton of great, deep conversations this week, initiated by him every time...that lets me know that I have his trust and his heart. He's open and honest and desires so much to please the Lord, but the transition from boy to man takes some figuring out for him and us.
I think back to when he was a baby.....seems just a short time ago. I can remember his infancy better than any of the others just about because it was so stressful for me.....he cried a lot.....so I cried sometimes with him. (grin) I had no idea what to do with him.....I panicked when daddy had to go back to work after the first few weeks home...I honestly didn't think I could take care of him alone all day.....but he survived...and I survived....and both of us have changed so much in 13 years.
We have introduced him to our God....and he loves and serves him too. I never would have thought he'd be a big brother to SIX other siblings, but God knew what I needed to mold the selfishness out of me. I'm thrilled with the young man he's becoming. I know all his strengths and I know all his shortcomings but like my Heavenly Father does to me, I deeply love every aspect of that young man.
It's such a wonderful time right now. Having a 6 month old son, who looks identical to what he looked like at the same age. (but much less crying! ) God is allowing me to remember him as a baby and now as a young man and seeing what we've done right, and what we've done wrong. God is so faithful to give wisdom when we need it, to show us how to pray, to help us to be who we need to be to model Jesus to these 7 precious souls. Parenting is the hardest, most wonderful, exhausting, rewarding, stressful, priceless thing I've ever done. I'm going to pray for wisdom and patience for all my friends who are parenting teens tonight.....if you don't mind...could you do the same. The best news is that we're not in this alone...we have a Savior who is ready and willing to give us His wisdom, love, patience, understanding, joy and anything else we need to raise this generation to be sold out to Him!
Remember: "Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Bible has all the answers we need for this task!!! Hang in there! It's all worth it.
Comments
Jul. 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Great post Misti...I hear ya on "Where did the time go?" Chad starts High School this year....I had it made when he was a baby!
Maria
Jul. 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cathy
Lexi is just 10 but I think because girls have these changes happen earlier I've been seeing the start of some of this. I just told a friend with a daughter the same age that I can clearly see the blind little girl love, devotion and obedience falling away from her eyes.. That's a great thing, it means she can begin to see us as the fallen people we are and that her Savior is the one she needs to place complete faith and trust in.... It's all good, but it's change too...and that blind love and devotion is a sweet, sweet season. The Lord has hammered me with the message - get out of my way, she is starting the journey where she needs me more than she needs you. Tough stuff for a Momma....I also see her really looking to her Daddy more and more too, that's a great thing and I think the Lord did let me know that would happen one day with our girls... All good, but change.... My prayer is that He continues to refine me on this journey and that I can appreciate all of it...that He leads me in never wanting to replace the Lord on the throne in my children's lives or development. I think our role does start to be more about the heart than the flesh in their lives...the Lord begins dealing with them a bit more directly in the flesh dept if we don't circumvent. It's all challenging and exciting and I know that while we are in the raft here we haven't hit the rapids! : )
Jul. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Petersonclan
Yep... Misti- overwhelming would be a great way to describe this roller coaster called the teen years. It's uncharted territory because each one transitions it so differently! Be glad for the conversations, though. ;) Even if they last until midnight.
Jul. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This is so encouraging for those of us who don't have teenagers yet, but are trudging hard for good fruit. Thanks....really.
~Chasity
Jul. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This is so encouraging for those of us who don't have teenagers yet, but are trudging hard for good fruit. Thanks....really.
~Chasity
Jul. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Great post...as all of yours are!
It was actually more overwhelming the second time around for me. Dan was a year ahead of what David was and I wasn't prepared for that! Love the talks too : )
It is funny when their friends come over now and are all taller than me though- that took a little getting used to.
Shari
Jul. 9, 2009 - So glad you wrote...
Posted by Eunice
Misti, this should and will be so encouraging to other mothers who are finding it hard to make sense out of this phase. We're towards the end of the hump and sometimes it did 'feel' a little crazy. Your words will show others that we are to be on board 'with them' through this transition. They've got a lot going on and truly need their parents support. It's not a time for us to hammer them....chastise them.....become anxious ourselves.....it's a transitional time when they are starting to learn to come to us for counsel and we are beginning to let them come to us versus us going to them to give counsel. It all begins with trust! You know I could write more >grin. Just wanted to send.....
Blessings and hugs!!!!!
