If we want our children to be cooperative then we have to teach it to them. Cooperation, like any other character trait, is best caught than taught. In other words, our children will “catch” us acting one way and it will be a bigger influence upon them than if we attempted to lecture to them the right way to act. Our words mean less than our actions. This past weekend, my husband and I had to work really hard to be a positive influence to our teens when it came to cooperation. He undertook a project that, as I posted … Continue reading →

An old high school friend recently added me to a Facebook group, in which a reunion is being planned. It has been 25 years since we graduated. So it’s been interesting to look at some of the old faces and read up on how everyone is doing. It is hard to imagine some that have gotten married and had children. I guess it’s because I still see them as they were in their cliques. You know the labels that teens put on each other. Back in my day it was the jocks, preppies, nerds, outcasts and the popular kids. I … Continue reading →

It’s always a good feeling when you see your teenager make what can be a very grown up decision. This just recently happened with my 13-year-old daughter who finally decided she had had enough in a friendship. It wasn’t that she was going to be mean to the person or retaliate. She was finally going to establish boundaries. Boundaries can be a difficult thing for anyone to put up, even for adults. So when I see my teenage daughter understanding the importance, it gives me great hope. Friendships at this age can be very challenging. It sometimes feels like I … Continue reading →

I am starting to feel like I have been dealt a bad hand. Back when I first had my children, I thought the timing of their births was perfect. They were spaced out in a way that really worked. Unfortunately I didn’t give much thought to the future and what would happen when I would find myself having three teenagers at one time. Not only that but throw into the mix of teenage hormones the changes my body has decided to go through and you have quite a combination. I am quickly learning that menopause and teenage hormones don’t mix. … Continue reading →

Do you believe that your teen has a special calling? I do. I believe that everyone has a special calling. The last thing I would ever want to do is stand in the way of that calling. If there is one thing I have stressed to my kids is that they should strive to do whatever is going to bring them the greatest pleasure and happiness in life. Go for your dreams and do what you love to do. Recently I have been called into question for not trying to stop my 16-year-old son’s dreams of joining the Air Force. … Continue reading →

This weekend I had to say goodbye to my 16-year-old son. He was off to a military encampment which is part of the Civil Air Patrol program that he belongs to. This is his second summer participating. It is very hard for me as a parent to see him off. First, this is not your average summer camping trip. He stays on an active military base where he goes through the rigors of boot camp. Second, I have absolutely no access to him. There is no contact allowed. The best I can hope for is a picture of him. Someone … Continue reading →