Thy TEEN-DOM Come

PART 2: A Mama is a Mama, no Matter How Long 

Understanding Your Role as the Parent of a Teen 

Teenagers in the house? I am so tempted right now to say, "Good luck with that!" and be done with this blog. Most parents of teens, given the option, would simply click the heels of their ruby slippers together while chanting "there's no place like Rome, there's no place like Rome." But lets be honest and square off, toe to toe, with this challenge. YOU can parent successfully throughout your child's teenage years. YES, it can be done. It may not feel like successful parenting while you are doing it, but mark God's words: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

There really isn't a formula, but there is an invisible force field.

Remember the rules you set in place through the 'TWEEN' stage? (Didn't know about the rules? You can read about it here.) Well, you still need some rules in place, but in the state of TEEN-dom the rules become somewhat fluid...organic, even. Although the rules still exist, they now morph and bend to wrap themselves around the complex nuances of the teen brain. Much like those stretchy elastic bands that used to be your apron strings. 

10 More Things, Episode 7

By Staci Pace

61.           Glass tables are evil. Period. 

62.           If you haven't liked them yet, pizza and Mac & Cheese are your new favorite meals. 

63.           It doesn’t make you a bad mom to be completely giddy when away from your children. 

64.           You really don't have to keep every drawing and homemade card. So don't. But don’t let them see you throw it out!

65.           Reading a book becomes a near impossibility even when all is quiet because your eyes will just involuntarily shut protesting that it is indeed time for a nap. 

66.           These days there are TONS of seriously educational TV shows made just for your child. Record them, buy them on DVD, download them from the internet, put them into the queue in Netflix and Hulu, and then allow your child to watch them for as long as they want. And tell the doctor they attend pre-school. (PLEASE NOTE: I'm totally joking here, but seriously lighten up about the TV. They will never have time for it once they start school.)

67.           Baby wipes will be a staple in your house for a lot longer than diapers. 

68.           Buy several plastic sheets for your children's mattresses. Late night bed-wetting will be much more manageable if you do. 

69.           You will never appreciate your parents more than the first time your child has the stomach flu. 

70.       Having a child costs money. We all know that. But has anyone ever told you how much your bill will be just for BIRTHING the baby?? $$$$ 

What have you learned as a parent? Wisdom is better shared! Leave a comment.

Episode 1: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Episode 2: 10 More Things I Wish I Knew

Episode 3: 10 More Things, Episode 3

Episode 4: 10 More Things, Episode 4

Episode 5: 10 More Things, Episode 5
Episode 6: 10 More Things, Episode 6

10 More Things, Episode 6

By Staci Pace

51.  Always use stain remover or oxy clean in every load. ALWAYS. 

52.  Dads really do buy their kids toys for their own enjoyment, which is why they grow terribly upset when the kids play with them in an inappropriate manner. (Such as Superman becomes a bad guy, or the GI Joe is using a Star Wars light saber, or your kid's favorite "Bumblebee" car is a Grand Am and not a Camaro.)

53.  Christmas is more fun than you ever dreamed. And more stressful. And more expensive. 

54.  Forget saving for college. Elementary will cost you. And so will any sport your kid might want to play. Not to mention field trips, play dates, and music lessons. 

55.  There actually are good teachers and bad teachers but you can NEVER tell your kid that. 

56.  You will one day find your child trying to clean their sibling with the Windex. 

57.  Never ever give your kids a choice of what to have for dinner. If you do they will never eat what you eat. 

58.  Learn how to edit photos. Because they will never all smile and look good at the same time. 

59.  Buy Band-Aids in bulk. But NOT the cheap kind. 

60.  If your child owns a piece of clothing that you don't like get rid of it quickly and quietly because it will be all they will ever wear. 

What have you learned as a parent? Wisdom is better shared!

Episode 1: 10 Things I Wish I Knew BeforeI Had Kids

Episode 2: 10 More Things I Wish I Knew

Episode 3: 10 More Things, Episode 3

Episode 4: 10 More Things, Episode 4

Episode 5: 10 More Things, Episode 5

Supermarket Meltdown

The Simple Guide to TANTRUM Prevention 

while Shopping with Your Child 

Contrary to a popular belief that all children are born angels (who in their right mind would come up with that?

Have you ever been in a room full of toddlers? One might think he had slipped into an evil pit of selfish opportunistic egomaniacs. “Mine!! MINE!!!”, not my definition of angelic…nuf said) the Bible teaches we are ALL born in SIN. We all have need of redemption, and your precious little angel is no exception. 

10 More Things, Episode 4

and continues...

31. You will wish for the snow day more than your child. And then, when it happens you will wonder why you ever wished for it in the first place. 

32. Cable television is something to avoid at all costs. Commercials are not something you want to welcome into your home. 

33. You will be ashamed of yourself on a daily basis. And proud of yourself just as much. 

34. Cooking dinner will be one of the hardest jobs. Do I really have to make vegetables with every meal? 

35. Anything can be broken. Anything. 

36. Legos are the most awesome thing ever made and the worst thing ever made. 

37. Kids have really good ears. 

38. Everything in your home has the capacity to be sticky. 

39. Don't ever say "Would you just act your age?!" Because they are.  And that's the problem. 

40. Act as if it's time to go 15 minutes before it's time to go. Always. Or you will always be late. Everywhere. 

Episode 1: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Episode 2: 10 More Things I Wish I Knew

Episode 3: 10 More Things, Episode 3