Tag: parenting teens

What We’ve Learned about Sleep

Most parents coach their infants to consistent sleep patterns and take their high school graduates to college. Tween didn't learn to sleep, so in middle school we took him to a major university to participate in research on teen sleep. Every child is different, right? Teen was a great sleeper from Week 1 (or maybe that was the … Continue reading What We’ve Learned about Sleep

Meatless Monday – Cooking with Teen

Last week Teen's senior class had a fundraiser with a local pizza place. They make a delicious deep dish spinach and mushroom pizza. And if you like, they'll make it with whole wheat crust and vegan cheese. Yum! While I had been anticipating leftovers for dinner all day long, I returned home to find that … Continue reading Meatless Monday – Cooking with Teen

An Uncommon Commitment

The month, and again the week, before he began 6th grade and a new school (Aug 2015), I asked Tween when we could get his hair cut. The first time, he shrugged, very pre-teen of him. The second time he responded, "I'm not. I already put it out on Instagram that I'm growing my hair … Continue reading An Uncommon Commitment

“Ain’t Ever Getting Older”

Except, he is. We went to Tahoe to celebrate his eighteenth birthday and brought five of his friends, including a girl, so they could attend a three-day music festival. This was Teen’s one and only request for his Big Deal B-day, and since December birthdays have clear drawbacks, we decided to make it happen. Originally, … Continue reading “Ain’t Ever Getting Older”

Learning to Let Him Go

Today Teen drove away with friends to cheer on their high school football team in the state championship (Go, Campo Cougars!). Four hours away, in a city they’ve never visited. They’ll stay together in a hotel, arranged by another parent. They’ll return home tomorrow. It makes me a little nervous, honestly. There will be plenty … Continue reading Learning to Let Him Go

Find His Motivation

Some may call it bribery. I call it motivation. Initially, the goal (mine, at least) was to get Teen's college application essays written before the school year started. Despite the 2-session college essay workshop he attended, that didn't happen. The college counselor came to our home to talk through the process, yet Teen has felt so … Continue reading Find His Motivation

Thankful Thursday – Poke-Cation GO!

We had a long family conversation before we left on our Southern Oregon vacation. The kids wanted to bring computers and games to play during down-time. The parents wanted everyone unplugged, but mostly we wanted peace. Kids got their way this time with the caveat that they had to instantly put it away when asked. … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Poke-Cation GO!

Thankful Thursday – Kickin’ the Door Shut & a Happy Dance!

By 12:20pm tomorrow, both our boys will be done with this school year. Hallelujah! This has been a particularly rough year for a variety of reasons. Junior year for Teen, filled to the brim with cultural stress even when our immediate little family wasn't topped to our own stress limit. Unfortunately for all of us, his school … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Kickin’ the Door Shut & a Happy Dance!

Pride & Joy

Parents often speak of their children as their Pride and Joy. My mom has often said that she can’t be proud of her children. Not that she doesn’t have reason to feel pride, but that she won’t take credit for our accomplishments. I hope it's not disrespectful, on Mother's Day of all days, to say: … Continue reading Pride & Joy

Don’t Give Up

Persistent defines Teen well, one of his stronger personality traits. We have snakes in our house because of Teen’s persistence. I said yes to geckos but NO to snakes. For years, Teen argued, researched, debated, cajoled, prayed – and believe me, we had long conversations about how God answers prayer: yes, no, or not now. … Continue reading Don’t Give Up