Mothers: Get Off The Rollercoaster!
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Any mother who is parenting teenage girls knows it can be challenging to say the least. Somewhere around 12 or 13, things have a way of changing. Suddenly your little girl is telling you you’re ruining her life or you don’t understand or just leave her alone.
It kind of creeps up on you and if you’re not careful your hormones will be swinging with theirs. I really am convinced that part of it is hormonal and no matter what you do, there will be mood swings and all kinds of unexpected emotional drama.
I’ve learned that I don’t have to ride the rollercoaster of hormones or react to them. That’s because as the older, wiser, woman in the house, I set the tone for my relationship with my daughters.
It truly is life-changing when you realize you don’t have to be nuts because they happen to be at any given moment. Before this epiphany I used to swear my girls were plotting and planning ways to drive me insane. They really aren’t. They’re just being kids. They’re growing and changing every day – sometimes every hour – and it’s making them a bit kooky.
If you don’t believe me, think about how quickly they come out of their spells. My girls can be the sweetest, most adorable children — until … well you know the hormones kick in.
I have reached a point where I’m not surprised by random, unprovoked outbursts that often dissolve as quickly as they begin. I choose to not react but to be as loving, understanding and supportive as possible. I pray and take a deep breath. God never lets me down. (Qualifier: This doesn’t mean we should allow a free-for-all and fail to parent when they cross the line.)
Set the tone.
It’s not always easy to do (sometimes, okay many times, I have to bite my lip and count). But when I think about the women I want them to become, I know I have to work hard to set the best example I can.
I don’t get it right every time, but I’m getting better.
I set the tone.
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