He is my first experience at raising a teen. I have many things to learn. It’s been a struggle for me some days. See my previous post titled Teenitis, the disease I have been recently diagnosed with and continue to struggle through.
I knew when he said something yesterday the best reaction was no reaction and to be slightly interested, not too much, don’t harp, don’t be a sap, show just the right amount of interest that doesn’t make you seem like you are trying too hard and make very little eye contact.
It’s an art.
Either you have mastered it, will someday, choose not to ever have to or are perfect and have perfect teenagers and come from another planet.
I didn’t expect to hear anything so soon because as a parent of a teen expectations are emotions you hide, just like the urge to want to hug and kiss them or scream at them.
Tonight, on the way to family fun at the grocery store (not recommended, however when everyone starts asking for different types of soap/shampoo/conditioner/toiletries the normal sole grocery shopper in our family – the hubby – gets a little overwhelmed)
you could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather. (Does the feather come from Big Bird, a large Ostrich or a prehistoric creature – it’s gotta be pretty darn sturdy to knock me down and all)
Our son said – “We need to hurry up because I have to get home and write my essay asking to be accepted into Honors English.” Telling us to hurry up or making the statement about what WE have to do is the normal part.
Later, as he struggled to write his essay we asked him to tell us what he knew about the class. He said, “Well you have to read four books over the summer, there are a lot of projects, you have to like to read and write and it will be very time consuming.” I know what the hubby was thinking because I was saying the same thing in my head (then why take the class? – go for CP English instead, that’s what I would do) but, knowing deep down that we have a son who is even considering this is making us do a little jig whenever he leaves the room - in a cool way of course.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also informed us that he would be taking two more years of Spanish class. (God help me, if I have to hear him complain about Spanish for two more years I may have to acquire a new hobby, and it won’t be knitting or scrapbooking if you know what I mean –but I’m not complaining)
This kid really listened to us. The things we have been telling him about school, grades, classes, they are penetrating that thick skin. He may spend a lot of time on Xbox, ignore his little sisters, resist family outings and say ten words per day, but he gets it.
Now, if his acceptance goes as well as his application to The Honor Society (they didn’t accept him) I will then go in my room, shut the door and throw a baby temper tantrum. The same one I threw when my daughter didn’t win secretary for Student Council, got the mean girl phone call, and any other time you see your child experience disappointment. I know- it builds character; this is why I am behind closed doors doing the silent screaming for them.
Would you look at that? We might make it as successful parents after all…..
(Are there award ceremonies at the end of all of this, because I really want to walk a red carpet……)
