1. Helicopter parents, or how not to become one, has been on the brain. How much to advocate for my boys vs. to let things ride and see where it takes us. I'm not too interested in the later, but know enough (I think) to step back and let the boys figure things out.
2. Helping my boys take a risk. How much do I nudge them out of the nest? Far enough to make them feel uncomfortable and scared or just enough to know that I will be right along side of them for this crazy ride? Matt made a decision this past weekend that I was proud of, I guess. But wonder, if he had pushed himself out of his comfort zone would he have made a better decision. We'll see how this all plays out on Wednesday, when he heads back to school. (yeah, you got that right. we still have one more day off!)
3. The boys' fashion decisions. For the most part they are fine with the clothes they wear. Although, Matt has an AWFUL flat rimmed baseball hat that he wears constantly. It drives my husband nuts. I try to calm him by telling him that his red hair, A+, Opie look-alike son will not be turning gangsta anytime soon. He's not so sure.
4. Respect. There's none of it anywhere, or so it seems. This bothers me...period!
5. Entering the teenage years. Enough said.
12 comments:
teenage years,and 5 wise things..very inspirational,jane ;)
I love that you illustrated such big, anxiety ridden points with such peaceful, beauty filled images, I guess it tells the story that life is all about finding balance. I hope the time you spent reflecting through your lens gave you some peace and clarity Jane.
Love the pics, and the new header! Fabulous. Ay. The teen years. They make being up with a newborn all night seem like good times. We are also the proud and not-so-proud owners of a flat-brim hat. Man, I hate that thing. I try hiding it, every once in a while. Sometimes it even works...
There is nothing like a macro photo to make me smile. Thanks! Monday (well Tuesday but it feels like Monday) and I'm already happy!
We, too, are entering that phase of life...I'm getting lots of warning signs! Love, love the cherry, the hydrangea and the little purple berries (?) Such pretty colors!
Jane,
I'm so happy I found your blog and that you are honest and real about parenting and life and all that it brings. I'm no where near the teenage years (still waiting on an infant adoption referral) but I gratefully appreciate your pondering over the hard stuff and expressing your thoughts here. Your wise words are helping me already...
the summer was so nice, wasn't it? none of the crazy!
i hope things go well for the boys. i think you are probably doing a very good job of parenting. i hear you on the helicopter parents. i want so badly to handle things here, but Lib has to step up. yes, some of the same 'ol, same 'ol! hugs.
oh goodness.
i always say... i want my toddlers back! where did they go... ?!
good thing we can all hold each others hands through these very different years!
LOVE your peaceful photos.
ugly flat brimmed hat.
we have several in our house.
gah.
is that the mountain I die on. no. but still, it pains me.
love the pics and it seems you just hit on all the things I've been feeling too. Teenage years are rough actually so are the tween ones too. I will say a wise friend once told me, if we don't advocate for our children know one else will. However that sometimes is a fine line to stop and let things take there course.
Love the pictures, been there done that with the teenage years. It was an adventure, I'll leave it at that:) Have a great day, please keep your camera handy, you take wonderful photos.
Your pictures are gorgeous!! I would love to meet you sometime. I am from upstate NY originally. I have three girls, 21, 18, and 10. Can relate to everything you so eloquently said. This time of their lives is so much more intense on all levels. I think you will do fine, since you are way ahead of other parents in your approach. Totally agree with you on the respect thing. Drives. Me. Insane.
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