I guess the good thing about being the Mom of many is that when you run up against negative emotions or hard times with your kids…you remember…”oh ya, I’ve been here before.”
I was staring out the window doing the dishes. I’m sure steam was rolling out my ears as my eyes were welling up with tears. “Why can’t she see I want what is best for her? Why can’t she see that I KNOW what is best for her?!”
I was having a whole conversation with myself about an argument I had had with my 16 year old daughter and then I thought the unthinkable “I can’t wait until she is old enough to move out on her own!” Did I really think that? Did I really feel that way?
Yes, I thought it and I meant it…for a minute or two anyway.
Then I remembered…I’ve been here before, many times actually, once at least with each child that has grown up and moved out. I’ve come to believe that it’s God’s way of preparing us for our kids to eventually grow up and leave home.
This is tug of war, this struggle with letting our kids grow up, and yet holding them back so they don’t grow too fast. It’s an exhausting struggle that at times seems it will never end.
It’s a natural progression for our kids to want to explore and grow and we have to step back and let them start making some of those big decisions for themselves. It’s a natural thing for them to start to question and push back against our authority.
I think if life was always super wonderful with teens, they wouldn’t want to ever move out and we would never want them to leave. But God created them to be independent and it’s a good thing, not a bad thing.
Yes, some kids are harder than others…
No, teens should not rebel or be disrespectful, but I think it’s a good thing when they are starting to show some independence. We mustn’t take it personal and we must continue to teach them to communicate in a respectful “mature” manner.
I repented to the Lord about my sour attitude; secretly I would love my kids to live with me forever.
Somehow when we know that these struggles are normal, it takes the heaviness off of them. When we can turn our children over to the Lord along with our fears, emotions…ummm control over to the One who IS in control…it’s easier to rest.
I would never ever voice these things to my sweet children…at least not until they have children the same age…but it just helps me to know…
It’s a natural progression…
They are chosen…and we are chosen…we must let them go with a cheerful heart.
