posted on Dec, 1 2008 @ 08:48 PM
Tips for raising 14 yr. old daughters:
I don't have any, it's the hardest thing I've ever done.
She woke up one morning in August of '07 and I was like, "Who are you?". One day at a time is the best advice I have. Oh........always threaten
with taking the cell phone and social life away. But, everyday that goes by a little bit of that sweet girl returns. It's always a good day when they
actually acknowledge that you are on the same universal galactic plane as them. She'll be fine. It's hard on teenage girls these days. The pressures
they have are endless, I cannot imagine having to have grown up with the social pressures that they do now.
One of the most important things I have found with children of all ages, especially the teens, is to always acknowledge and validate their feelings.
Right, wrong or indifferent, it is how they feel. My husband as the hardest time with that. It's ok for kids to be sad, hurt, upset or even
angry...it's what they do with those emotions that is the real lesson.
My son, now eight, was such a good little baby, then he turned two. HM! And I was like "Who are you?. Surely not the child I brought home.". My
husband informed me that the return policy had expired by then so we toughed it out, pulled our hair out, banged our heads against the wall, and
basically went insane for two years until he turned four. And we were like, "Hey, we remember you....that adorable, sweet child returned." I used to
laugh at those who spoke of the terrible two's. Now, I hug them and offer my sympathy, and occasional babysitting.
Side note: August 12, 2008, they told each other they loved each other. I heard it, plain as day. Of course they didn't know I was around the corner.
No prompting or payoff.....unconditional. It only lasted a brief moment, but one that I will, obviously, not forget.
More random tips/thoughts later.
Rush
[edit on 1-12-2008 by hsur2112]