4/7/2011 It figures—after being so frustrated with my daughter and what she DOESN’T do, she goes and DOES something lovely that makes me forget all about it. She has the gift of a close, warm relationship with her grandmother, my mother, and she fully appreciates it—and yesterday , she showed it in all its glory. My mother, a passionate movie lover, invited me to see one of the film festival films with her. I begged off because I was just too…
4/6/2011 Venting time. This has been a frustrating week with my daughter. She hasn’t been “bad” and hasn’t gotten into trouble, so that’s not it. It’s the day-to-day annoyances that are getting to me. I have to ask her repeatedly to do something, which she pleasantly promises she will do, then she completely blows it off. Here’s a big one—she in advertently locked her cats out of the garage where the litter box is kept, which ended in disaster for…
4/5/2011 “I love you with all my heart. I can’t wait until we move into our new house. We’ll have so much time together.” That is a recent text from my “troubled teen.” I put that in quotations purposely—that’s what a mother will wait a lifetime to hear, and when she does, she forgets the past in an instant. She tells me these types of things quite often, and I truly believe that’s how she feels. However, there’s a part…
3/31/2011 My younger daughter has been so testy lately. She jumps at everything I say, and talks to me like I’m ridiculous. I feel like she’s 14 again, and it sucks. It starts out okay and I measure my words, but it’s not long before I hear, “Stop it” or “Do we have to talk about that now?” It’s quite unpleasant to be around her lately and I’m getting irritated. It began to be noticeable when I took her with…
3/31/2011 You can sometimes find us: Eating Middle-Eastern food at our favorite restaurant. Going places we went to when they were children to see how they’ve changed. Talking about how great they have it compared to other people. Talking about how special their relationship is with their Nana, and how they knew her when she was young and fun. Watching Jersey Shore and Teen Mom and making fun of the cast. Listening to the morning radio show antics and analyzing…
3/30/2011 My older daughter never had the same issues as my younger one with depression or hyperactivity or even rebellion. Her problems arose in college. She noticed that she was having trouble finishing her work or paying attention to lectures. I thought maybe she was too interested in her social life or her classes were boring. But then we noticed that she was unable to finish one conversation before starting a new one, then would forget what she was talking…
3/30/2011 Both my children take prescription medication on a regular basis. There, I said it. I’m not proud nor ashamed of this fact; it is what it is. I resisted it for a long time—not sure if I was in denial that they needed drugs for their issues or if I was afraid of the consequences or outside objections—but what I do know is that my girls have benefited greatly and I don’t regret it. My younger daughter, as I’ve…
3/30/2011 My girls don’t really mind my company at times. I’ve been known to be fun—as long as we’re doing what they like to do! We’ve found some common interests—though I’m happy just spending time with my children when they’re amenable, lucid, open, or just plain willing to indulge me in a few minutes of their time. When I really think about it, we’ve actually smiled, laughed, or just plain enjoyed ourselves while doing these activities: Shopping for them: clothes,…
3/30/2011 This is a really sensible, albeit liberal, article from an Ann Landers column from a long time ago. It’s been shared and modified a hundred times, but it’s still interesting stuff. Thought I’d pass it on. 6 Things for Parents of Teenagers to Stop Doing (and what to do now instead) “When this column was first published nationally a few months ago, I got many many letters thanking me for writing. I did get one letter from an older…
I’ve spent a lot of time talking and fretting over my younger child with all the problems, past and present. Sure, she’s been a major focus of my parenthood, and the subject of this blog, but I’ve realized that it’s not fair. Leaving my first born out doesn’t paint a complete picture of my mothering skills, my life, my younger daughter’s life, or our family in general. First born is the closest thing to an angel that you’ll ever get….