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September 30, 2006
Raising Teens ~ Lesson #1
Pick your battles. I've heard that so many different times over the years when it comes to raising your teen. I'm trying, honestly I am, but it's NOT easy!!
I'm trying to instill good morals, judgment and being responsible into my 14 year old. I know she is interested in all kinds of things these days, boys, mainly. She tells me she has a boyfriend, but she won't tell me his name?? She talks on the phone constantly, I remember doing that too, but I over hear things sometimes that I do NOT like.
She seems to have friends that have really colorful vocabularies, but when they are here you don't hear a peep out of them! So when I hear the language they are using, whether it be in a note or on the phone, it's quite shocking! I also know she talks this way as well, with her friends and I don't like it!
I'm not perfect myself and probably haven't set a very good example at times, but I really don't like knowing she is this way when she thinks I'm not listening. I guess, at least, she's good enough not to do it in front of me, is that a good thing??? I don't know.
She's off tonight to babysit for my brother and his wife. They are having a get together at their home with some friends. We were invited, but declined. I know there is going to be ALOT drinking there, I over heard her asking her aunt if she could have one, I didn't say anything, cuz she thought I wasn't listening. I really don't think my brother or his wife would let her get sloshed...I know she is going to be doing this stuff at some point, I did when I was a teenager, not at 14, but...I guess I shouldn't worry too much, she's with people I know and hopefully can trust. It's the others there I don't know so well that bothers me.
I told her she had to be home by 10 am tomorrow for church and I meant it. I feel like a bit of hypocrite though, letting her babysit for people who are going to be getting drunk and then making her go to church the next day!
I think it's a battle this time, better left alone maybe and see how far I can trust her since it is with family and not her friends. I don't know, maybe I worry too much.
On a lighter note...
It's the last day of September today, it doesn't seem like October should be here yet!
I took a short ride with the girls today after helping a friend get her wood in for the winter. We have some pretty good color, I hope to get some more pics in a couple of weeks.
Posted by tracey at September 30, 2006 05:53 PM