Search Results for: blog on the verge of adulthood

On the Verge of Adulthood

There can be a fine line between your teen challenging you on an issue and being defiant. I find this to be truer as they get closer to that magical age which suddenly makes them an adult. I have been doing a lot of searching within, as a parent of a 17-year-old. While in general I don’t believe that the age of 18 will suddenly make my teen mature and give him permission to do whatever he likes, I do understand the need to pull back even more. I also understand the need to be willing to listen, to hear … Continue reading →

Teens Can’t Be Our Entire World

When my children were younger, it felt like they made up my entire world.  And in many ways that is true.  Yet in the midst of raising small children, I still tried to find things that I was interested in, outside of parenting. This can still be a problem when our children become teens.  If our lives revolve solely around them, it’s going to create certain challenges for them and us. The first is that we won’t be prepared for the season when we eventually become empty nesters.  This can be a difficult period for many parents, but it can … Continue reading →

Raising Teenagers

Raising teenagers, I don’t think there are scarier words in the world, when you are a single parent, that fear and stress is multiplied. First, because we all remember what we were like as teenagers and we know this is not going to be an easy ride. When Hailey was born one of the first things I did was apologize to my mother, I was a mean teenager who thought my mother knew nothing and I knew everything. I know that is pretty common but I was still devastated that I had behaved that way, especially once I held my … Continue reading →

Making Those Tough Parenting Decisions

One of the hardest parenting decisions my husband and I have had to make just occurred. We have spent the last couple of weeks talking about it, finding out more information and most definitely, praying about it. Our 17-year-old son asked if he could be part of an upcoming missions’ trip to Haiti. Now you have to understand that we were completely shocked by this. Our son is a homebody, has two good friends, rarely goes anywhere other than work and has never once participated in an outside activity at church. We tried to feel him out…why did he want … Continue reading →

Make Sure You Share The Milestones

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It has been one of those weeks. Wednesday was the last day of high school for Hailey. What a milestone! What a crazy moment to be a parent. I’m happy, I’m sad, I’m confused. What happened to my baby? Hailey came home Wednesday with her cap and gown. I cried, she cried. I remembered to take a picture of her in her cap and gown and text it to her father. I didn’t want him to miss this moment. When you are divorced there are so many moments you miss. Whether your child lives with you or your ex spouse, … Continue reading →

A Little Stimulating Conversation Would Suit Me Just Fine

Periodically we write about the realities, dreams and perils of single parent dating here in the Single Parents blog. I acknowledge that I am not always the most inspirational cheerleader when it comes to the dating department. It might be my personal experience or, more than likely, it is just my personality and my age–there are other things that consume my time now. Still, as I look around my world of colleagues, distant old friends (who have moved far away so we rely on e-mail for connection, occasional dates, and acquaintances–I realize that at this point in my life, some … Continue reading →