On the 7th of this month, my daughter, who once spit up on me, asked me to kiss boo boos, and begged for one more bedtime story, turned 13. She has turned in teddy bears, tea sets, and crayons for a cell phone, Facebook page, and blog. The transformation has been occurring for quite some time but it never really hits until “teen” is the last syllable of the age. She is funny, smart, quick witted, discerning, trustworthy, and at times snotty, ungrateful and very teen. What I am most proud of is that she does not speak in a sing songy way. She can hold a real conversation with real opinions. She demands respect and never backs down. She also could wear PJ’s all day and can never understand how someone does not think exactly as she does. Her future husband will have fun with that.
I have had the pleasure of spending most of her 13 years right by her side. I taught her how to count, how to read, how to write a paragraph, where Asia is on the map, concepts of physics, and how to apply mascara which she swears is the stupidest thing she ever did. I was there in the middle of the night when she was one day old. I was there when she was potty trained. I was there when we made the big switch from crib to toddler bed. I was there when she broke her first board in karate. I was there when she was in the hospital with pneumonia. Yet, I am quickly becoming her Moron and not her Mom. That is until she needs me to explain something in math or spell a word. I am now a source of embarrassment. That is until she needs someone to take her to the mall or out for her birthday. She is certainly spreading her wings. I have no intention of clipping them but I most certainly will bind them up if she rolls those eyes one more time.
The dynamics in my house have changed having a teenager. I feel like I have entered into one of the final phases of parenthood. The next step is being a mom of an adult child. I also have someone else in the home who can take care of the younger children. This has its advantages and its disadvantages. She is wonderful with her sisters but often takes on too much of an authoritative role. As far as homeschooling, she wants to take charge and forge her own road. She only wants advice or help if asked and seems offended or hurt by constructive criticism which she did not elicit. Having a teen will be a real adjustment as she grows and tries to find her proper place. It is yet another lesson outside of the daily math and language assignments that must be mastered.