5/3/2011 My formerly troubled teen and I have been working so hard on our relationship, which is based on trust and mutual respect—like adults would have. I work like a madwoman to not get angry over the small stuff because it gets me nowhere with her and does very little for me. We recently (I’m talking in the last few days) moved from a rented townhouse to our own home. I worked very hard to make this happen and handled…
4/14/2011 I admit it, I’m a fan of reality TV, and I’m a regular viewer of Teen Mom. It’s not that I relate to that program, it’s that there but for the grace of God goes my family. I have two teenage daughters and my “troubled teen” began being sexually active around the age of 15 (that’s what she has told me, though kids lie and she has done quite a bit of lying). I’m glad that Teen Mom depicts…
I can honestly say, I’ve been there, done that. Been through the drug ordeal with my daughter. Her drug of choice? Ecstasy. Lovely, huh? I was the last to know, too, because I was too trusting and extremely naïve. I never thought I would be someone who’d be so clueless—I’m smart, a former middle school teacher, and aware of the world. I just wasn’t aware of what was going on under my nose. It’s a hard pill to swallow to…
4/8/2011 I have a daily battle with both my daughters about organization. I back off most of the time and try to look at their positive contributions—despite anything they’ve ever done or not done, said or not said, they are my life and bring my more joy than I can explain. That doesn’t mean they don’t drive me crazy. My older daughter has moved out and can now irritate her roommates with her sloppiness and disorganization and it doesn’t affect…
4/7/2011 I was diagnosed as clinically depressed at around 18, my father suffered from depression, and my “troubled teen” is being treated for it. So, I wondered if depression is truly hereditary. Here’s an interesting article to explore that question. Is Depression Hereditary? Written by Faye B. Roberts “Depression runs in the family” or “It’s in your genes” are commonly given as causes of depression. If you are suffering from depression, being told you are “bound to get it”, can be a very…
4/7/2011 I’m an avid reader, enjoying everything from classic American literature to true crime. But nothing is more interesting to me than understanding my children and improving my parenting skills—and finding out if it’s even possible to change your behaviors in order to help your kids. Parenting teenagers is especially cumbersome because they turn into creatures you don’t even recognize. You have all the proof that they’re your child—stretch marks, baby pictures, bags under your eyes—but you just don’t recognize…
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…
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…
3/30/2011 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…