Hi Friends! I am joining Shay and Erica HERE and addressing a very important topic- Managing Teenage Life. Now I decided to join in not because I am an expert by any means but in hopes of sharing some info and getting some good advice- I feel it is the season for us...with our 17 year old senior....and we have another girl coming up...though she is a "tween" currently...we will be back here in the blink of an eye and I could use some tips.
Here is my random list of thoughts as it relates to managing teenage life
The Phone
It can be your best friend and worst enemy right? I have learned to use it to our advantage. When I want to share a prayer or inspirational quote or just send an encouraging message, I will text or send through IG or Tiktok because I know it will be seen and absorbed even when she doesn't realize it.
I also like to use the app iSharing- it is like Life360 but works better for us- never goes offline, etc. We track her location, especially if she is out late with friends. We want to make sure she is safe and where she says she is going to be. We can also monitor car speed on this app and a few times, we have called her to tell her to slow down OR tell her driver (whichever friend it may be) to slow down.
Coffee Dates/Tea Dates/Shake Dates/Walks on the Rail Trail/Jeep Drives
Whichever you decide...it is about the activity and not exactly what you choose...it is the one on one time I choose, doing something she enjoys. I find she opens up more during these times, whether she is sharing a funny story or sharing her thoughts or telling me her concerns...they always come out during this one on one time when she feels more relaxed and calm. Little does she know, it is good therapy for both of us
Trusted Friend/Professional/School Advisor
We are lucky, one of our dear friends is an Executive Functioning Coach at our high school. She was a friend but she also became our trusted expert when dealing with the course load, exams and course of action with some tutoring and services to help our daughter. It is a unique situation however I think any parent should build a trusting relationship with a school staff member. It helps to keep the lines of communication open and shows your kid you are all on the same page and pulling for them to succeed
When all else fails? Pray
Pray hard....each year, I pray harder and harder...it has helped us through some very dark times as it related to her heartbreaks...struggles...rejection...just pray
So looking forward to gathering your advice...appreciate it all!
6 comments:
I am almost done with the teen years (cry? rejoice?) and I think everything you've said here is true and is good advice. I look back and I know I made so many mistakes but I know that my kids know that I loved them and prayed for them hard in their teen years (and still do but those years are just different). Love all the pics of your fun and very loved kids!
Did it feel fast? It is one of those times in life that the saying is true- "the days are slow but the years are fast." Right? I make mistakes every day-regret decisions all the time but they didn't come with a manual- you just do what you think is best- any advice from you is coveted :)
I can't believe our youngest turns 18 this month and by January will be the only teen left in the family. These years flew by but gosh they were so much fun. I definitiely think one on one time is so important and I thank God for phones/ texting since i think it's the only way I really keep in touch with Alec.
I agree- so many of these days have been so much fun and those are the days I will choose to remember!
I do the same with my girls, sending them encouraging texts and memes. The think it's so cringe but love it really.
We use Life360 here and it works well for us and I always have Snapchat as a back up. The girls keep an eye on where I am too so it works both ways.
There is a couple of staff at my girls college who look out for her and keep me informed with what's going on. They have been amazing over the past couple of years.
I have to get better with Snapchat since that is how the kids all communicate!
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