These next few years will be full of ups and downs – and I have already pulled the “ugh, teenagers” card more than I can count. But the truth is, they are kind of fun as well.
Teenage (and almost teenage) girls are so fun, said no one ever. Whew, I know I have definitely used one of their reactions and rolled my eyes while telling others about what moody thing one of my girls have done.
Because, let’s be honest, these ages (13 and 11) come with so many moods. And well, sometimes it is just annoying. Yes, it is raining. No, that doesn’t mean the entire day is ruined and your life is the worst. It literally just means that it is raining and that is okay. Tomorrow, the sunshine will be back.
Most of the time, I actually have no idea what I am doing as a mother to these girls. I mean, I know what I was like as a teen and well, that scares me a bit. But when I was their age, I at least could control me – I feel like I am in the stage of parenting where everything starts slowly floating out of my grasp of control. And that scares me a lot.
But then, my Lynds will come sit with me – just to chat. Amidst catching me up on all the new songs that her favorite singer has out, she peppers in some things she has going on – the boy she met at church camp, a friend update or even some positive affirmations that she has been trying. I’ll stop by the store and grab her – just her – her favorite drink and slide it to her without anyone noticing and it’s like we have a bond for the rest of the night. Quiet chats and fruit punch drinks – those are her love languages.
Time. That is Maylie’s. It literally can be doing anything together. Just this week, we went driving around – two separate nights – looking for a car wash that was open. Going through a car wash together, blasting our favorite songs and singing them at the top of our lungs in the car – that was our adventure. Simple enough. This girl and I could travel for hours with a sweet drink from Starbies and our playlist.
Of course, we turn it down during almost every song to chat about anything and everything. Excitement of middle school, the one boy she may or may not be into just a bit, cuddles with her baby cousin and her exceptional improvement this year at cornhole (which is actually super impressive).
While that growth is fun and all, it doesn’t compare to some of the growths that I have seen out of these two little ladies recently. Lynds steps in with the littles constantly. She is not afraid to try new things in the kitchen and is getting really good at cleaning up her messes there when she is finished. Her room, on the other hand, is still a work in progress.
Almost completely opposite, Maylie just spent days reorganizing and deep-cleaning her room so that everything has a place. Like Lynds, she loves to cook up a few things, however she is the worst at cleaning up the mess afterwards. I guess you win can’t win them all. Ha!
But when I watch them out and about – especially when they don’t even know I am watching them, these sometimes dramatic and emotional girls often give me glimpses of the amazing little people that they are. At the orthodontist this week, every response to the lady tightening Maylie’s braces was “please” or “thank you.” It is refreshing to know that all the many times I reminded her over the years became a habit. She is kind and well mannered.
And when Lynds was with a friend and seeking out a new flavor of Dr Pepper that she wanted to try, she struck out and settled with something else. Not long after the purchase, they found the coveted drink and she kindly turned down the offer to buy it for her – after all, she already had a drink. That may sound small, but that is big in my world.
These next few years will be full of ups and downs – and I have already pulled the “ugh, teenagers” card more than I can count. But the truth is, they are kind of fun as well. Shhh. Don’t tell them I told you that. Sure, there are moments when I have to be the strict Mama, but there are also so many moments where I get to have little best friends.
Sometimes we butt heads, and sometimes they really just are being buttheads ha. But overall, we are each other’s built-in cheerleaders, crying shoulders, vent partners, selfie takers and karaoke buddies. I have no idea how many eye rolls – theirs or mine – these next few years will entail, but I do know that I am 100 percent here for it.
Sarah (Pitson) Shrader was born and raised in Lima. She is a Lima Central Catholic and Tiffin University graduate. Sarah is a full-time working mama who enjoys writing about her somewhat crazy, always adventurous life as a mom and bonus mom. She lives in Bath Township with her husband, Lee Parsons, and their seven kids.
