Oh, the Fun to Be Had!
This post was written on February 3rd, 2011*Mothers of small children, please read this and feel encouraged. I know you may dread the teen years with all you see, hear, and read. But it’s not so bad, in fact, it can be a great time!*
Dear Teen & Tween,
Go ahead, roll your eyes, but it won’t stop me from writing you another letter. You know, when you were little you loved the notes and pictures I would give to you. Surprising you with them taped to your pillow or hidden in your school lunch, you’d get so excited. But, now, you roll your eyes. I’ll keep believing that secretly you still love it.
Speaking of when you were younger (and so well behaved) I told myself that you would never be like “those” teenagers; the ones that slam doors, lie, talk back, argue with everything. Obviously back then I was naive. I was blinded by sweet toddler kisses and chubby baby thighs.
Now there are almost two teenagers in the house and I know I was wrong all of those years ago to believe we would always be one big happy family. I am no longer blinded– clearly I see the challenges; mood swings, attitude, challenging debates, difficult homework, “I told you so’s” and the Jr. High drama.
But you know what I didn’t expect?! The FUN we would have! Seriously, it’s a whole different level of fun in this house with teenagers. I love the intellectual conversations, grown up humor, witty remarks. Family vacations filled with exciting mountain hikes and road trips that don’t include several stops for potty breaks– awesome! Class projects that involve more than construction paper and glue are also fun. Now we get to use the circular saw and electric drill as Sugar Daddy and I help with projects like the 3-story modern style home for the architecture project. Having you two in the kitchen keeping me company with conversation and helping with measurements instead of hanging on my leg as a toddler… it’s fun!
Tween and Teen, I would have never imagined how challenging these times with you would be. But I also never dreamed of the fun that would be had. I’ll always miss your chubby baby thighs, sweet toddler kisses, and construction paper crafts. But I look forward to more adventurous vacations, in-depth late night conversations, and all the more I have to learn. Because, you see, you are teaching me so much. And I hope I’m doing an okay teaching you as well. When this is all over and the teenage years are past, I hope you look back and remember the FUN.
February 3rd, 2011 at 7:58 am
What a great letter! I have two girls, and I am dreading the tween/teen years. This is the first year I’ve written lunch notes to my daughter (she’s in Kindergarten) and I never thought about continuing to write notes when she’s a teen. I think I will definitely keep it up, even if she rolls her eyes!
SugarMama Reply:
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 am
I encourage you to keep it up. Leaving post-it notes in their room is a great way to communicate when they are teens. My 14 year old doesn’t ever say anything about the notes, but I know he reads them. And when he gives me that very rare hug, I know they are working.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 am
My son is still a wee one but my niece and nephew are approaching the Tween era and I can already tell the slight mood changes…scary.
Love this letter. Love.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:30 am
oh thank you! i dread the teen years so much with two little girls.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:49 am
Thanks for writing this! It makes me look forward to having teeagers in the house instead of toddlers. Visiting from Mama Kat’s.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:52 am
Sweet!
February 3rd, 2011 at 9:36 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by amyjbennett, Sugar Mama. Sugar Mama said: Moms of little ones…. this is what I want you to know about having Teens in the house…. http://bit.ly/hA2OjU [...]
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:02 am
What a great letter! Thanks so much for stopping by to read my letter and sharing your perspective. It was encouraging and I thank you for that! I’ll be back to see you!
PS: I tried your twitter button and it said the handle didn’t exist….might need to be tweaked to work again.
Add me there @MTDLBlog and I’ll add you back.
SugarMama Reply:
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:25 am
Thank you for the head’s up about the Twitter. I’ve been having problems with that… I’ll try and work on it today.
February 3rd, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Oh man! THis totally made me cry..in a good way. I’ve been fighting so hard not to let my new 12 year old grow up…I needed this letter. I know you didn’t write it for me…but it truly meant a lot to me. I love my kids being little and needing me. I just need to let go a little and see that my tween still needs me…but just in a different way. Thank you!!!!
SugarMama Reply:
February 3rd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Just remember, they always need us. But like you said… they’ll just need us differently. You are VERY welcome!