Raising Teenagers

Out of the blue, Ellen asked me, "Is raising teenagers like you expected it would be?" I gave her a brief answer, but I thought about her question the rest of the day.

Yes and no, is the real answer. There are certain things I expected - boys, long phone calls, fashion emergencies, curfew violations, fights over dress or grooming. None of that has been an issue. My girls are very modest in their dress; they don't have a curfew and if they did, they don't like staying up late; neither one likes talking on the phone; and so far, neither one likes boys enough that they are interested in one in particular.

But there are some things that I anticipated that did happen. There is a certain amount of rebelliousness that has cropped up, nothing major, but definitely noticeable. They are interested in TV, music, computer games, the internet, just like most kids their age. And we've certainly had our share of fights - siblings and parent/child. They eat a lot of junk food, hate cleaning their rooms, and sleep in whenever they get a chance. All pretty much par for the course.

The real issues that bring me to my knees are not what I could have ever expected. We've had health problems that never crossed my mind as I held those beautiful babies in my arms. They've had to face challenges that seem almost impossible for anyone to face, much less someone their age. I've felt completely unprepared and unqualified for this round of motherhood almost every day since they were born, and it hasn't gotten any easier.

So I stand my answer. Yes and no. Raising teenagers has been frustrating, infuriating, heartbreaking, tedious, hilarious, exhausting, and challenging beyond anything I could even imagine. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my teenagers.