2 Hr Convo with DD!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
2 Hr Convo with DD!
4
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 1:00pm

DD17 and I had a 2 hour adult conversation last night! And she did most of the talking!! It was wonderful. She has matured so much just over this past summer that I am looking forward to the changes yet to come as she enters her senior year. She is very focused on her future and knows what she wants for the first time in her life. She has an air of confidence that has never been there before and walks with her head held high. And not only has her attitiude changed but so has her appearance. She looks like a beautiful young woman who has traded in her converse sneakers and tees for high heels and blouses. I think she took a journey of self discovery this summer and really found herself and is comfortable with who she is.

It has not been an easy road with DD. She started out a very stubborn child who took violent temper tantrums, had many health problems, emotional problems, and learning difficulties. She had low self esteem and it was a constant battle to get her to do anything including to take care of her own health. Conflicts were constant and so was the drama. (And of course there were some very happy and enjoyable moments too - but not too many between the ages of 13-16..lol).

I write this post because while I know there are still many rough patches ahead, I wanted to share this with those out there that are fretting about all the teen drama going on in their kids lives. Friends fighting with friends, the breakups, the disappointments, the failures and the successes. Take a deep breath because all the worry, the sleepless nights, and hair pulling really is worth it. I think that most kids will learn from their mistakes and they will figure it out....eventually.

Avatar for kel7col4
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 1:27pm

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

As I sit her completely stressing over my dd's recent downward spiral and wondering what I did wrong, how I missed things and how we overcome our current bumps in the road! My dd too is quite stubborn and I'm learning she's quite spoiled and certainly has a sense of entitlement. While I can seriously say she never had temper tantrums when they were expected (the terrible two's for example) at 15 years old she has reverted back to those days and has chosen now to take advantage of those missed toddler opportunities!

DD too doesn't take her health seriously and her self-esteem is nose diving. She entered high school extremely high on herself and quite vain and a year later she is a bumbling mess. She too has learning difficulties - being diagnosed ADD-inattentive, never "officially" diagnosed as dyslexic but obviously is. She has always cherished her friendships, but I now see her pushing those closest to her away (bffl's, her bf, me, family).

Thank you for pointing out the "light at the end of the tunnel" I have hope my dd will eventually return to her happy state.

Congrats on your successful trek through teenhood!!




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 3:09pm
Your welcome :) You are one of the posters I had on my mind when I wrote this. I sooo understand your frustrations. And age 15 was the worst year for DD but looking back now it seems like such a long time ago. We are not completely out of teenhood yet but I know we have made it over a big hurdle towards adulthood. Hang in there Mom!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 3:17pm
Congratulations and best wishes to both of you! Hopefully she will remember all she has come through and be proud of herself and how strong a person she has become.
Avatar for jbgattuso
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Wed, 08-22-2007 - 4:12pm

Thank you so much for sharing this :) I often tell moms that I see with two little boys that look like they are about to pull their hair out that really it gets better :) It does help to hear it from someone who's BTDT :)

Julie