Raising An Affectionate Teenager :: A Reflection
Being the mom of a teenager is no easy task. Every stage of parenting has its challenges and this stage, by far, is my toughest battle. There are so many outside forces influencing your kid and your relationship with your kid. Sometimes it’s hard to think that they were once small enough to fit in your arms, especially when they start to tower over you!
My relationship with my teen is one I pride myself on.
Sure, I’m proud to be a mama to the littles, but the littles will love you unconditionally. The older they get, there are more opportunities for your relationship to be strained. I consider myself lucky to have such a gentle soul for a son but that doesn’t always come easily. There are arguments and more disagreements now more than ever. As he grows and makes a place for himself in this world, our personalities sometimes clash but at the end of the day, I know I can count on him coming to say goodnight with a hug and an I love you.
I try to find similarities in our tastes. I give his music a chance (even though most of it makes me cringe). I look for time to spend one on one time with him, even if it’s just a quick trip to Starbucks. I constantly remind him that I am there for him, no matter the circumstances. He knows that Mom is his safe space, no matter the stress he’s got going on. If he needs to talk about girls, school, or his future plans, I am a listening ear.
It’s difficult sometimes to not want to interfere. As a mama, we want to fix things. I am learning to let him make his way through the world and fix his own mistakes. I know he’ll appreciate that one day, even if he may not today.
Our teens are our toughest critics. They can also be our best friends. They’re spiraling on the border of adulthood and leaving home, making their own path in a universe that doesn’t have us at the center of it. So for now, I’ll sit and listen, and soak up all the hugs I can get from him.
