The Teen (on the left) turned 16 this year and for her birthday we okayed a trip, with her friend and dad, to Jamaica. I have to say that the past week HAS been quite quiet. The worrying was turned down to very low!
Having a teenager IS a full time job. I thought it would get easier as the years advanced, but 'au contraire, mon frere'... the worrying is worse. Of course, the 'physicalness' of caring for a teen is less (ie: she can make her own meals, she dresses herself, she IS able to wash her clothes - but doesn't, etc). That, by the way, is my fault! I acknowledge that !
Someone once told me, "Small kids, small problems; Big kids, big problems". I have to admit, that at the time, I was not sleeping through the night yet (she was 4 months), I thought he was being a little 'sassy' and not understanding MY situation! Boy was I wrong!
As we get older, we like to go to bed earlier, but our teens go to bed later (sometimes much later than the parents!) - result: trouble sleeping - again!.
They go out with their friends - what are they up to? Alcohol, drugs, boyfriends, drinking and driving? The list is long... The worrying is horrible.
And you thought your sex life would get better as the kids got older - HA - that's what I say. Do it while the kids are young, innocent, going to bed early and sleeping through WWIII.
Some say you have to go through these 'not so easy' years to be able to let go of your precious young. I BELIEVE IT!
Thanks Maman, Your son helped me 'get back behind the wheel'. Sometimes you need a little push.
Posted by: expat on the go | April 13, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Well, worse is a 'big' word. You worry a 'bigger' way. When your child is small you know where he is, what he's eating, drinking,etc.. When they're teens - you don't know what they're doing, eating, drinking, etc... You lose a lot of the control you had on them - you have to, mind you, but it's REALLY hard! Expat.
Posted by: expat on the go | April 13, 2010 at 04:51 PM
This is a difficult time for parents, as teens believe themselves to be invincible. All we can do is hope that the basic values we gave them will serve them well and should any unfortunate situations happen that they will be minor and not have lifelong after effects.
Nice to see you back on your blog!
Posted by: american maman | April 13, 2010 at 07:47 AM
It gets worse? Oh no...
Posted by: Alain | April 11, 2010 at 05:57 PM