As a young mom, I occasionally heard older parents discuss the difficulties of parenting teenagers. Now that I have two teenagers, I will agree that these years have their own set of challenges. However, I’ve also found that there are many delightful aspects of raising teenagers!
Here are ten of my favorite things about having teenage daughters.
1. Having in-house fashion advisers. My daughters are good about letting me know which outfits are winners and which ones need a little help.
2. Getting to know their friends. Both of my girls are blessed with some spirited, delightful friends and I enjoy interacting with them.
3. Their enthusiasm for life. They get excited about things like dressing up in school colors for spirit week. They are still full of hope and adventure, novices at life with so much potential and possibility ahead of them.
4. Traveling together. Our girls pack their own suitcases, plan their own entertainment for the trip, and manage their backseat experience themselves.
5. Seeing them build relationships with other adults. There are certain teachers that my girls really enjoy and I appreciate the time these adults invest in our daughters. Not long ago, I was in a restaurant with my girls and some friends when one of their teachers walked in. They were so excited to go over and talk to him in an outside-of-the-classroom environment!
6. Watching them develop individual interests. Our younger daughter started cheer leading at school this year That’s not something I would have pictured one of my daughters doing, but she has thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s fun to see them increase in their abilities and try new things.
7. Listening to them begin to think through their faith. A couple of times recently, we’ve had some interesting talks after supper about issues our children have discussed in their classes. It’s a privilege and a great responsibility to begin to guide them in their own spiritual walk.
8. Supporting them in their chosen activities. Whether it’s cheering them on in basketball, cheer leading, or at a fine arts competition, it’s a lot of fun to be there encouraging our daughters.
9. Their help around the house. When I need their help, they can step up to the plate and vacuum, clean a bathroom, or finish putting together a meal for me.
10. Watching movies together. They’re old enough now to enjoy many of the movies my husband and I do, so it’s fun to watch and discuss these movies together.
These are some great years of parenting! I’m trying to treasure each of these moments as I know they’ll pass too quickly.
What’s something you love about the stage your child is in?
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You make me look forward to the teenage years! Not that I'm dreading them because I refuse to worry about things that haven't happened yet. 🙂
I thought you might be curious as to how Hannah and I are doing, so here is my facebook post from this morning since you're not on facebook: I feel like a new woman today. Hannah wouldn't settle last night after I fed her, so John gave her some formula at 11:00. She slept until 5:00, so I got six hours of sleep! Then she ate really well and had a wonderfully wet diaper. She wouldn't settle again, so my amazing husband John got up with her while I slept a little longer. And my kidneys have been working overtime: my fingers have wrinkles again (around the knuckles where they're supposed to be) and my ankles aren't swollen anymore. Whoohoo!
Thanks so much for sharing that post! What a blessing that you were able to get some good sleep and that the swelling is going down. I'll continue praying that life gets into a good rhythm for you over the next few weeks!
Your prayers mean so much to me; thank you.
LOVE THIS, Tracey!!!!! Yes and amen to all! I am blessed to be enjoying all of the joys on your sweet list with my teenage daughter. Last night, during our "bedtime chat," she shared with me what she'd just read on her devotion app…about the gifts of the Spirit. So great. And the day we watched "Sense and Sensibility" together and she, seeing it the first time, swooned at the ending as I always do was a Top Mom Moment. Thank you for spreading the truth–TRUTH, mama!–that having teenagers is NOT something to dread but to look forward to!
Just wanted to say thanks to you because reading your teen-related posts has encouraged me to look for the best in this season of life – and there is much of it!!
I love this list, and I love seeing these things begin here, as well!!!