Teenagers, mommas, the friend issue, and school

DO you have a teen in your home?

I have 3 teens and 1 pre-teen.

Gosh, I love those hormonal, obnoxious, messy, forgetful boogers!

I think we as adults forget how mentally challenging teen years can be.

I think we might reference our teen years to relate and forget that 

we are living in a much different world.  

It's ok, our own teen years are all we have to refer to but as parents 

we need to be sure to remember how our world today is different

and to adjust.

I can't sit here and advise you in dealing with major teen troubles 

because I'm so thankful we've not had to deal with such things.

I'm here to tell you about dealing with everyday 

GREAT teens and their troubles.

At the top of the list is the issue of friends.

Boy, I've had so many conversations on this topic.

It's a tough situation.

At least for our family because we are picky, strong moral background, 

and teach to not waiver from your true self and character.

That is tough in this world today.

There are times when it is tough and 

many around you don't know why yo do what you do...

and with that will call you names or at the least make you feel like you are

"different" 

which so often makes your teen feel ....

Loney:(

It's hard as momma to see this and not be able to fix it.

It's hard as momma to be tough with your teen, to tell them to stop 

acting like a big shot but to be the true "you".

Honestly, if the real you doesn't interest those around you then 

you need to find new people to be around.

It's ok, too if your teen has no true friends they could count on.

It's sad and frustrating but 

you need to realize that sometimes God allows what I call

"dry-spells"

to get us focused on Him.

Here's one thing I know, that you need to be present in your
kids lives behind the scenes.
Your kids need to know that they can come to you with
anything....I mean anything and know that they have a safe place to
"unload".

Also, let your kids breathe.
Let them experience life.
Let them fall and let them know the feeling of working hard to
get where they want to be.
Loosen those apron strings.
Somedays you might need to tighten them up a bit but
loosen them up to see how they do, they might just surprise you.

In our home, we try to instill a sense of responsibility and pride
in who we are.
In the fact that we claim Jesus as our Lord and the fact that we are
A "Williams".....the family:)