As many of you know, my children are nearly grown—or so THEY think. With one about to graduate and another close on her heels and one more in high school too—it is starting to get tougher and tougher to tell who is in charge anymore around here with all the know-it-alls. I have always felt like I was very solidly the ruler of this roost, but to hear everyone else talk any more, you’d be hard-pressed to figure out who the boss is—or how many bosses we actually have!
Everyone is an expert anymore and in the course of an hour I may have my son telling me the most efficient way to load the dishwasher, while one daughter gives me advice on pet care and another shares with me all of her wisdom regarding getting out laundry stains. Never mind that I have been doing just fine running this household for nearly twenty years—suddenly, they are all three experts in home making, cleaning, and just about any other topic that may come up.
Of course, they each have an opinion on parenting, my choices, what we are having for dinner, how I wear my hair, what we should put in the Christmas baskets, and I was even subjected to quite a debate about where the Christmas tree should go this year and what color lights we should have. Three very strong-willed, opinionated older teenagers can turn just about any simple activity into a debate and discussion.
I know in my heart of hearts that I AM still the boss and it MY house—but I also know that I’m going to have to ride this phase out. After all, they are supposed to be getting cocky and confident and thinking about all of these daily details—otherwise they might not be prepared to take on the world and tackle their own households. But a little appreciation for my tenure as leader might be in order, don’t you think?
Also: When do I Get to Be Smarter Again?
If It Wasn’t For Teens–I’d Be Technologically Challenged