Teen Parenting Tip #218

Teenagers march to the beat of their own iPod. Each one is an electronic wizard that could put MacGyver to shame. Yet, surprisingly, they lack the intellectual prowess to tie up a bag of garbage and carry it to the curb.

So, if you'd like to train your young adult with lightning fast results - the next time your teenage son or daughter forgets to take the trash out for the umpteenth time, do what we do:

Works every time.

Teenager for sale.

Why? Because we said so.

How come? Because we love you.

Why are you and Dad so strict? We're sorry you feel that way.

Why don't you trust me? It's not you we don't trust.

Brittany is going, why can't I? We'd tell Brittany “no” too, if we were her parents.

You don't want me to have fun. Yes, that's it.

You don't care about me. You've found us out.

Are you trying to make my life miserable? You've uncovered our dastardly plan!

You and Dad aren't like other parents, you are way too old fashioned. What can we say, we're overachievers.

Are you trying to ruin my teenage years? How did you guess? Your dad and I wake up thinking of ways to ruin your life.






...and this is why animals eat their young.

Searching for a Godly Spouse

Last week while I was cleaning my kitchen I brought in my shiny red laptop. I wanted to search for something interesting that would keep my mind off of my task of cleaning the tile-jam (that's toe-jam, except in between tile). I HATE TILE. But I digress. I'll bore you with that dark little secret another time.

I found myself at the Focus on the Family site. As always, Dr. Dobson and his program didn't disappoint. Well known pastor and author Alistair Begg was the guest speaker this day and his topic of discussion was Searching for a Godly Spouse - Part 1 and 2.

No, I am not searching for a Godly spouse. Not today anyway. But I did find myself drawn to this teaching. It was a good refresher course for me. I made breakfast for Paul. Later that morning we sat and listened together (while stuffing our mouths with eggs and sausage). He enjoyed it just as much. No, not just the sausage, the message too.

We both decided our oldest two kids needed to hear this.

Today we shared this wonderful and timeless message with our teenage daughter and teenage son. We had them take notes. Afterwards we had a quick Q and A time, just the four of us. We asked them to share with us anything that really stuck out to them. We had an amazing discussion.

Though our daughter is seventeen and our son is fourteen and their spouses are nowhere in the picture yet, Praise God, we made sure to share with them that they are able to take this exact criteria and choose good friends in their high school as well.

If you are interested in listening too, head on over to Focus on the Family, click on the Broadcasts and Podcasts on the left side of the main page, then click on Listen Now and then find the teachings "Searching for a Godly Spouse 1 & 2" - shared on February 9th and 10th.

Whenever I hear an amazing teaching, I have to pass it on!

Teenagers and Two-Year-Olds

I am blessed to have held the title of mother for seventeen years. With every passing day I learn something new. I now have answers to questions like, how often through the night can you give Ibuprofen to a child with an ear infection? What are the best gifts NOT to give another child if you'd like to remain friends with their mother? Or, exactly how many times does human nature allow your physical body to repeat itself before blowing up like Mt. St. Helens?

One thing I have recently learned is that teenagers and two-year-olds are a lot alike. They both want their Mommy's close by, yet want their full independence. They want their Mommy's full attention to share their day with but at the same time want lots of play dates with their friends too. As teenagers they once again are eating round the clock and are needing much much much more sleep.

We have two teenagers right now in our home. Our daughter will be a Senior in high school in August and her brother will be joining her as a Freshman. We do not lack around here for moody moments or bubbling hormones. In some families they tell their children, "No B's, no keys." In our home we have added one more element to the mix...attitude. If they have a poor attitude, pick on their siblings or treat each other in a manner that isn't edifying, life can become pretty hard very quickly for them. Very often I have to get out my umbrella and raincoat and remind my darling teens, "I can tread water longer than you can make it rain."

Since I am personally addicted to laughter, I had to share a video below showing a comedian speaking on his own teenager.