" Please visit me at my new online home, www.thevolunteermom.com."

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Being Mom

Sometimes, I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to raising my (almost) teen aged daughter.

Has anyone else ever looked in the mirror or replayed a conversation in your head and wondered afterward if alien forces had somehow invaded and somehow made you say what you said? Or wondered if alien forces had invaded your child and done the same thing? I seem to be having moments like these more often than not. I can't tell you how many times I have said to myself, "Did that really just happen?"

Someone once told me that ages 12-14 were the worst age bracket in regard to mother/daughter relationships. I am beginning to see why that's true. Clearly, I can't do or say anything right. I am also being nosy and overbearing when offering my help in a situation in which she is clearly struggling (no matter that she said she wanted my help to begin with).

I am having a hard time letting go. She is having a hard time remembering that a little more independence comes with age but, some of that independence must be earned. Why do kids want to grow up so fast? Sometimes, being an adult is not all it's cracked up to be. You can trust me on this.

It's hard, despite the moments of joy that I found in raising my oldest daughter, not to long for the days when I was all she ever needed and, I could do no wrong.

1 comment:

The Dew's said...

Totally understand what your going through. I cant ever say anything right, everythign is my fault, they complain about an issue you try to help then get accused of not liking their friends.

It's sorta like i dont want my huband to "fix" my problem, and i am learning that with them, to just listen and not fix it or even attempt to try.

The sassy attitude that suddenly came along with 12 is something i am not enjoying at all, but the fact that she's grown up enough to have a conversation that is meaningful and she "get's it" i'll take.

The moments of not kissing or hugging mom and beign a clinging vine have NOT been there yet, so i take every hug, every kiss, every cling every i love you while i can.