Sometimes it just doesn’t work out how you think it will….
So which of my Sunday project options did I choose in the end? Well I started out with the socks – managed all of about two rows and was then overtaken by events. Events probably isn’t quite the right word – imagine a sleep deprived, hormonal and horrendously rebellious teenager who has been asked to clean up her bedroom …… I’m sure you get the picture as to what happened next. And the result – nothing doing on the pleasure front whatsoever. Two parents put through the ringer trying to make sure that certain family standards and rules of behaviour are maintained.
Sometimes I think it is very, very hard being the parent of a teenager. Or at least being a parent who cares enough to say ‘no’ and not allow total freedom. I’m continually shocked that so many parents seem to allow their offspring to do anything they like. I don’t find it appropriate that kids only sleep about one hour at a sleepover during term-time – I mean, where were the parents, what were they doing and didn’t they feel some sense of responsibility for the children (and let’s face it at 13 they still are children) nominally under their care? We won’t be going down that road again in a hurry I can tell you!
Apologies for my rant – but it’s taken me a couple of days to get over it all!
Back to the knitting – calm, calm, calm…… Normal service will be resumed as soon as humanly possible!
Helen
July 6th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I feel your pain. I had two boys a year apart. The younger of the two is my own and the elder came with his father when we married. It has been more than 20 years but I really don’t remember any fireworks during their adolescence. Now my year-younger sister on the other hand… Take a deep breath, stand your ground and remember that this too shall pass. You can always tell her that you hope eventually she has a daughter who will give her all the pleasure she is giving you. (wink)
July 6th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Chris, I think it may be a girl thing – although my other daughter has never given us any trouble! You are so right about taking a deep breath and remembering that it will pass. I just need to keep it all in perspective!
July 6th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I feel your pain, Helen. Parenting is the hardest job there is, especially parenting of teenagers. Kudos for sticking to your standards. Someday, she’ll be glad you did.
July 6th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
You probably won’t believe it now, but in a few short years, all these frustrations are just a distant memory and you’ll remember them with a certain fondness. At least that’s how I feel now with all the upheaval behind us. And you are quite right; a 13 year old still needs rules and restriction no matter how grown up they think they are. My 25 year old daughter tells me now that she was quite pleased when we didn’t let her go to a bar when she was 16, although at the time we thought the world is coming to and end. So keep up the good work; you are definitely on the right path.