I always have the expectation of scary music accompanying those words; for some reason it never does, but you should see the looks on peoples faces when I say "I have three teenagers." The music must be in their heads.
I officially have three teenagers as of earlier this summer. I think I'm "supposed" to feel old, tired, and very afraid. Not happening...in fact I am feeling pretty darn happy about the whole thing. I wonder why?
Well, I'm not old; actually I am relatively young*. My kids are fantastic (knock on wood). No behavior problems, only developmentally appropriate attitude problems, good grades, mostly nice friends (they are teenagers after all), goals and plans for now and the future, hobbies, chores that they actually do, some common sense, and healthy doses of humor. Somehow this combination just doesn't inspire fear, dread, or an impending sense of doom. Something must be wrong with me...
*Please understand that the definition of young shifts relative to my age, and will likely continue to do so.
I think it says more about you, your parenting style and your kiddos, that the phrase "3 teenagers" doesn't raise more angst in you. Your calm, informed and accepting approach (e.g. "developmentally appropriate attitude problems" - love it!) likely help keep the raising of three teenagers in the realm of fun, rather than the terror you see reflected in others' faces.
ReplyDeleteAnd I fully get behind the relativity of how the definition of 'young' changes with my age. :-)