MY IQ DROPPED!!!!!!!
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| Tue, 12-05-2006 - 11:36pm |
I am the proud parent of a 16yo daughter...PRAY FOR ME & PRAY FOR HER. My IQ dropped at least 50 points when she turned 14, I now am aware I know NOTHING or understand NOTHING.
Outside of that small item, she is the most fantastic person I have ever met. She is kind, good hearted (when not gossiping), funny, smart, beautiful, outgoing, determined, independent and the least prejudiced human I know. She is in her sophomore year in high school, I didnt start her in school until she was almost 6, a fact she continuously reminds me of. I mean REALLY she should be junior by now. I always trump that comment with the cause of my stretch marks, bad back and gray hair. Age and motherhood does have its benefits.
She has her license and I no longer drive when accompanied by the most experienced driver in the world. She recently broke up with a boyfriend after she caught him courting another girl and lying to her. Bravo to Chelsey, I was quite proud, when she discovered what the very dumb boy was doing, she asked him once, then called the other girl in question and they compared notes on the phone for 2 hours. The next morning they both walked up to the boy in the parking lot together, she said he looked like he wanted to pee his pants, but started crying instead.
Her Dad likes to hope his new dating trend that started when she turned 16 will pass, I laugh and say "BUCK UP", this is going to be a long ride. He basically glares at most of the boys (the boy changes weekly), I hand out copies of 8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING OUR DAUGHTER. If you haven't read the rules let me know & I will email.
Mostly out of this wonderful child comes my favorite word, "Whatever!"
Anyone who has raised or is raising a teenage daughter has probably heard these phrases. She pushes every button I have. She finds buttons that I never knew existed.
The "talk to the hand" attitude, the hand on the hip, the rolling eyes, the head flipping and that nose to the ceiling motion are all a part of her everyday mannerisms. Some days I could scream, and other days, I look into her beautiful face and I see this woman emerging. That mother-daughter myth must have some validity because whatever I say, she says the opposite. Conversations can be tricky. I have to wait for the right moment, crackling over those eggshells to make sure that what I say will be taken the right way. You might say she is a little sensitive.
She can be very accomodating -- when she wants something. I can sense a scam a mile away -- having children will give you this gift -- and my daughter is the master at attempting to fool me. The fact that she rarely gets away with it is no deterrent to her plots and plans. When she wants something, the sweetness that pours out of her is sickening; The girl really talks it up when she needs to. She usually begins by asking me if I got a new outfit, or by telling me how pretty I look. Even after all these years, she still thinks I won't catch on. I just smile, fold my arms and wait for it.
"Mom, sweet, nice, cute mom. Can I have some money for the mall?" She looks at me and bats her long eyelashes, while balancing a golden halo above her head.
She has that "open mouth, insert foot" syndrome. She has a hard time getting through the day without uttering something that gets her close to getting grounded. As her 5-year-old cousin pointed out the other day; "Chelsey, I just don't like your tone." Out of the mouths of babes. I had to suppress the urge to point at her and giggle. It is amazing how everyone else can see the attitude, but her.
Even as I watch my daughter transform before my eyes, I am amazed at the struggles it takes to get there. There are trials we both have to endure on this journey to womanhood. Through it all, I am enjoying the ride, for the most part. The final destination will be worth the trip.
I will add that a sense of humor is a good thing to have when raising a teenage girl, and I do try to keep mine. Even as doors slam, and expletives are shouted through the house, I really try to look at the bright side: One day she will go off to college (I've already reserved the U-Haul truck for a graduation present). Shhhh!

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
LOL
Great read!!
I was awakened this morning around 2:45 by animals and this was the first thing I read (after I realized I wasn't going back to sleep)! Just what I needed to get my day going!
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This is a really great post and sums up being the mother of a teenager quite accurately. I have a 17 y.o. DD who I think is really great. I admire so many qualities about her, like her ability to go to school, work part-time, be involved in clubs. I never have to remind her to do her homework because she has always been motivated to get good grades. Right now she is applying to college and hoping to be a nurse. I told her the other night that I thought she should be a doctor and she said "I'm not that smart." This is from a girl who is in the top 10% of her class and has taken all honors classes throughout high school! I said, "If you're not smart enough, who is?"
All our relatives will remark on how sweet she is. If they only knew. lol She does balance out calling her 11 yo brother an "idiot" w/ hugging him. Last week, we were all watching a Charlie Brown Christmas together. On the other hand, if I walk into the office and look at her too much, I annoy her. She was surprised when I told her it would be better for me too if she went away to college, although I would miss her. The only good think I can think of about her arguing w/ me is that it teaches her to stand up for herself. I don't think she would have any problem arguing w/ a boyfriend or boss. I just wish I didn't have to be the person she practiced on.
But seriously, my SIL pointed out that the annoying teen years are just a really short part of life and we will get through them just like we did with the terrible 2s. If we keep a sense of humor and perspective, I think that's the most important thing.
Hang in there :)