My oldest child becomes a teenager.
I took down this prayer that hangs on my kitchen cabinet.
PARENT PRAYER
Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting or contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
May I never laugh at their mistakes, or resort to ridicule when they displease me.
Bless me with the confidence to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.
May I not rob them of the opportunity to think, to choose, and make decisions for themselves.
Make me fair and just and kind.
And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children.
-Cary C. Myers
The two phrases that stick out the most to me in that prayer are:
Listen Patiently and Fit me to be loved, respected and imitated.
Oh boy, do I need help with those two things.
What would you say is the most important thing to remember while raising a teenager? I would love to get advice from those who have walked this path already.
Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
Kathleen...I have that very same prayer tucked inside the front of my prayer book! I clipped it out of a church bulletin years ago...it is weathered and worn...and perfect.
ReplyDeleteHappy 13 Birthday to your son...how exciting for all of you. And I have to tell you...the teen years hold their own magical secret. This little person whom you nurtured and taught and loved gradually becomes a friend, as well as a child. My realationship with Madison has grown from parent-child to parent-child\friend.It is rewarding to actually see those virtues you struggled to instill come to life.
That being said...it is not all rainbows and butterflies! The one thing I would tell anyone who is raising a teen is this...Don't take anything personally. When things are said and moods are yucky...I try to say a quick prayer and remember how difficult being a teen can be. And I love.
Sorry so long...Enjoy your teen, dear friend!
P.S. You know...Peyton turns 13 in a few weeks...maybe we could arrange a meet and greet someday. We could be related!!!!! : )
Hi, Kathleen! I have lots of advice. Of course I do! haha :) Most of which is in this blog post--
ReplyDeletehttp://growing4life.net/7-steps-to-raising-the-perfect-teenager/
So, in case you missed it --I think I wrote it right around the Allume Conference, I thought I would give this link here.
At any rate, be assured that you will survive and it is possible to raise godly kids! :)
I'll come to you for advice in three years. By then, you should have it down pat :)
ReplyDeleteDear Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteThe journey depends on the child. Some need space; some need presence. All need patience and the realization that you treasure them. Dad says that the parents need to know that this may be a positive time or a difficult time, a contained time or an ongoing time. Eventually, if all goes well, it morphs into a lifetime of great joy as you watch the maturation of a fine adult. Love, Mom
enjoy them, it's not as bad as people say. Just be approachable, it doesn't mean being their friend, of course, but , they have to know... really know they can tell you anything.. even if you may not like it .
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Billy!!! That went fast !!