Then came the teen years.
We lost our status in their lives as perfect all knowing tall people who bring food, toys, clean clothes and praise into their lives on an endless basis.
Instead we became in their eyes height challenged, non-texting, parents hell-bent on squeezing every last bit of joy out of their lives with rules and nutty fears about strange kids leading them astray.
That actually makes me laugh as I always thought we were pretty cool parents. Then it hit us–we’ll never be cool to our teens because we have a job to do and that is to ensure they get through their teens safely and successfully.
We’re three quarters of the way there, and as I look ahead to the future…some interesting thoughts are coming to mind.
In a few short years we’ll be “empty-nesters” (that is assuming this recession ever ends and the kids actually become employed college grads).
Right now it’s hard for me to imagine getting up in the morning and not having to yell 47 times at another human being to “please get up.”
I can barely envision a day not involving me telling someone to clean their room, load the dishwasher or take the garbage out.
It seems inconceivable that my husband and I could take a vacation that didn’t involve negotiating with teens which sites and places we were going to visit. I’m getting a little giddy thinking about a totally ADULT vacation – one that involved doing the things WE like to do. Ahh…like visiting galleries and looking at neighborhoods in old cities or visiting the California wine country and marveling at the scenery and most especially the wine.
What would that be like…after 18 years of mothering vacations? I’m not sure if I’m ready for a non-mommying holiday. If I can’t yell “please keep this hotel room neat” I’m not enjoying myself – lol!
I’m feeling a bit guilty about these thoughts…but that will pass.
Sharon McMillan is a married mom of two teens–a daughter who is a freshman in college and a son who is a junior in high school. When not plotting and scheming her kids’ academic programs, friends and future marriage partners, she can be found creating public relations and marketing programs for the education sector and for small businesses around the country. Online Sharon blogs at www.MomsPrimeYears.com and meets clients at www.SharonWrites.com.
