Ah, teenagers. Creatures who morph from cuddly caterpillars into opinionated butterflies overnight, leaving you equal parts proud and bewildered. One minute they’re building pillow forts and giggling over poop jokes, the next they’re sporting eye rolls that could rival Mount Everest and declaring you “totally embarrassing.”
Raising teenagers is enough to make you want to crawl back into bed and pretend the last decade was a particularly vivid avocado toast dream. Remember those chubby-cheeked bundles of wonder who used to giggle at your every sneeze and follow you around like miniature, adoring shadows?
Yeah, those guys are gone. In their place stand towering beings of hormones and angst, muttering cryptic pronouncements about “privacy” and “space” as if you’re some kind of overbearing alien invasion force.
Here’s the lowdown on this emotional rollercoaster:
It’s a letting go process like peeling apart a Velcro closure – slow, frustrating, and often accompanied by the sound of tearing fabric (both literal and metaphorical). You try to hold on, of course. You cling to bedtime stories and school lunches, desperately clinging to the memories of the tiny human who used to think you were the most fascinating creature on Earth.
Letting Go:
- Goodbye, Tiny Tummies: Say hello to bottomless pits disguised as teenagers. Gone are the days of meticulously portioned mac and cheese. Now, your fridge resembles a post-apocalyptic pantry, and you pray they haven’t resorted to gnawing on furniture.
- Farewell, Bedtime Buddies: Remember those snuggly evenings of story time and whispered secrets? Yeah, replace them with the rhythmic thrum of video games and the faint glow of phones hidden under blankets. Sleep? What sleep?
- Adios, Mommy Knows Best: Buckle up for the “I know everything” express which is the epitome of raising teenagers in 21st century. Prepare for unsolicited fashion advice, questionable music choices, and heated debates about the existence of homework. Just smile, nod, and remember, they’ll be asking for your laundry tips in a few years.
Holding On:
- Hello, Witty Wonders: Teenagers may be masters of the eye roll, but they’re also surprisingly hilarious. Sarcasm becomes an art form, deadpan humor their weapon of choice. One minute you’re heaving a deep breath for patience, the next you’re snorting milk out your nose (hopefully not during their existential monologue about the meaning of life).
- Welcome, Deep Discussions: Gone are the days of “Why is the sky blue?” Now, prepare for mind-bending conversations about climate change, social justice, and the future of humanity. You might find yourself learning more than you ever bargained for, and who knows, you might even change your own perspective.
- Embrace the Awkward Hugs: Yes, they’re clumsy, brief, and often accompanied by groans of “Mom, stop it!” But cherish these awkward displays of affection. They’re proof, somewhere beneath the layers of hormones and angst, they still kind of like you.
The Bittersweet Joy of Raising Teenagers:
Raising teenagers is a paradox, a delicious blend of frustration and fascination. It’s watching your tiny human blossom into this independent, opinionated, often hilarious creature, knowing you have to loosen your grip while offering a safety net (and maybe a plate of warm cookies – bribery works wonders).
So, to all the mamas and papas navigating this wild ride of parenting {1}, remember: It’s okay to feel all the feels. Laugh at the absurdity, cry at the goodbyes, and hold onto the unexpected moments of joy. They may be growing up faster than you can say “TikTok,” but the bond you share is as resilient as a pair of mom jeans. Just breathe, take it one sassy eye roll at a time, and savor the bittersweet joy of this unforgettable chapter.
Conclusion
Just when you’re about to throw in the towel and declare yourself the world’s worst parent, something magical happens. They will crack a smile at your (admittedly cheesy) joke or they will confide in you about a problem, their voice thick with vulnerability. Or they let you hug them without flinching, and for a fleeting moment, you see that spark of your old sunshine child peeking through the teenage facade.
And in that moment, the emotion will wash over you, warm and heady like a glass of well-aged Pinotage and you will realize that letting go doesn’t mean letting them fall. It means learning to trust their wings, to celebrate their independence, to watch them soar as they discover who they are meant to be.
Charlie
Charlene is a published author/writer who has embarked on a personal journey, with the hope of providing guidance, support and advice to all who may need it.