Growing Up
The years when my children were babies were tiring and demanding. Babies did not always sleep when I wanted them to and they depended on me for their every need. The preschool years were frustrating with potty training and picky eating. During the school years I discovered the dyslexia dilemma. All of these times have memories of blessings and adversity. There are stories to tell but I will save them for another time. Now I find myself raising teenagers. Yes, I still have a 9 year old but I am exploring new territory with my oldest two. To be honest, I dreaded the teen years more than any other age. Surprisingly, however, I love these years and wish I could stretch them out somehow. Not that our days are trouble free. And the questions and perplexities are exponentially larger than worrying, “Will they ever get potty trained?” or “What if they never like meat?” Now, do not get me wrong. For those of you who are still in that stage of life, I know those mountains. They are huge and it is not my intention to belittle them. I am not facing another mountain here. I am watching my child get into a spaceship and wondering if they will make it on another planet. My son just got his first job yesterday. A real live job with a uniform, a paycheck and a boss. I am thrilled for him but at the same time I have all kinds of new worries. Is he ready? Have we trained him to function in the real world? Can he handle the responsibility? Can I handle the fact that this is one more step in preparing him to become a man and leave home? Moms who have traveled this road, I could really use your encouragement!
Thanks for stopping by! While you are here, I'd like to humbly ask for your vote - I have been nominated for the Homeschool Blog Awards in the "Live What You Believe" category. Today is the last day!!! Vote Here!Labels: 2006 Homeschool Blog Awards, Gabriel, Growing up, Jobs, Teenagers
posted by KarenW at
8:20 PM
12 Comments:
Oh Kendra cannot wait for the first "job". We have explained to her that once you open that door - you step through to a place where you can't go back.
I will be reading here to see what kind of insightful wisdom you gain here!
Oh - i'm so glad you stopped by to say hi.
I identify with you about it going by so fast. My oldest is 8 going on 9. Sigh. And we have attitude that I'm unsure how to deal with and I worry that if I don't deal with it now I won't like her when she's a teenager. *L*
I hope you get some encouragement. I do know God's good! I hope He sends His wisdom. Bleach Free Blessings!
Hi karen
I gave you a special award on my blog. Come on over to collect it.
Hi Karen!
Thank you for always visiting my blog and letting me know you stopped by. I'm not so good about remembering where some of my friends have moved to, so I really really appreciate your posting your new blog site as well.
Ummm...I obviously have no advice in the teen department. But with your son having his first job, just be sure that mom and dad are still the ultimate authority to him (well, next to God of course!). That he still turns to y'all for advice and not that boss of his.
I think the mere fact that you still enjoy your children's company says a lot! You must've done well in raising them or you probably wouldn't like them so much. :-)
I hope you have a great day, my friend! I voted!!!
Love,
Marsha
I'm still in those years. My dear nearly 19 year-old son wants to go to China this summer! My middle daughter will soon be 16 and is saving for a car. It's rewarding to see them grow spiritually, but I, too, and dreading the empty nest. I've always love being around my kids, (Well, there were a few moments. LOL!)and I can't imagine life without them "underfoot". Treasure each day, and know that the God who gave them to you isn't finished with you when they go out on their own. I imagine God's still got some future things up His sleeve that will bless your socks off.
Hang in there!!!!!!!!!
I have LOVED having teenagers. They are so much fun. Those years just go by way too fast and before you know it - you are a grandmother! One thing I learned about jobs - especially for homeschoolers - is that employers can easily take advantage of the fact that our teens are homeschooling and possibly available to work any time of the day and for any number of hours. I just want to caution you to keep an eye on that possibility and not let your son's work interfer with his school work - at least not on a regular basis.
Thanks for stopping by Pollywog Creek and commenting on my Photo Hunt post. Have a super weekend, Karen!
Good for him for getting a job.I am sure you have equipped him well, and if for some reason he is lacking in any area then this will be a learning experience.
Thank you so much for that encouragement. As my kids are starting to stretch towards those teenage years I have actually looked forward to it. People have shook their heads, winked, and said just you wait! I have enjoyed my kids more and more and I hope that continues for as long as the Lord allows me to have them in my life. I figure every stage has trials and joys.
Blessings,
De
Last year my ds14 got his first job. I was so pleasently surprised that he became their favorite dishwasher at the resteraunt. (0= My concerns are more of the type of influence these people have sometimes. Yes life with a teen is a learning curve.
God Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Karen, this entry brought tears to my eyes. For one, I am living in both worlds...teens and toddlers. (Funny how potty training is so minor for me in comparison to my first child.) Secondly, the teen experience. I am there with ya. Frightening, worrisome, rewarding, exciting. Isn't it cool how God allows us to experience so much with our children. Then to think He experiences all this with each of His own children...WOW! And I thought my life was hectic.
i have quite the difference in ages. my oldest is almost 21 and my youngest is 5. i can remember thinking how great it would be when my son would get his license and be able to drive himself places. when the time came to let him go off in a car by himself i was panicked. my faith has been tested before but that really was a mountain for me. of course i got through that (with God's help of course) and then in his first semester of college he called to tell me he had joined the marines. i didn't really have fears about that until the day i had to leave him at the station. i broke down afterwards (in the middle of the street - not pretty). for a week i was distraught. i kept speaking that i had faith in God, but my heart was not trusting.
then one day i was drawn to the verse, "perfect love casts out fear." it hit me that God is perfect love. not that i didn't know that, but just the way God revealed himself to me was amazing. i could see my son in God's hand. how could i have ever doubted that God didn't have his hand on him?
no matter what he does now, i know that God sees him, and loves him, (even more than i do)and wants the best for him. although i still like to give God a little of my advice about how to handle a situation, i have peace knowing that He is in control, even when it seems things aren't.
i'm looking forward to seeing how things go for you.
Congratulations on your nomination.
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