Thursday, March 25, 2010

Writers Workshop - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

Mama's Losin' It


25th March 2010

It's that time of the week again, and I am happy to be participating in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. This week I'm choosing prompt number two, because it couldn't have come at a better time for me. I find myself saying this over and over more often than not lately...


2.) “I need all the help I can get and if repeating something healthy and inspiring to myself several times a day helps, then I’m going to do it!” -What affirmation makes you feel better? WELL THINK OF ONE.
(inspired by Shanna from Smiles, Miles, and Trials)


She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When I wake her up in the morning for school and she grunts at me in some unknown Neanderthal language, pulls her doona over her head and rolls over - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she stumbles out of said bed, half-an-hour later bleary eyed and dishevelled, and shrieks at me "Why didn't you get me up sooner? I'm going to be late for school!" - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she climbs in the car after school and answers my polite, "How was your day?" with another grunt - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she spends HOURS locked in her room on the phone with her friends, only coming out to forage for food or ask for money - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she waits until the morning of, to give me a school permission form to sign and produce 1 squillion dollars for said event - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she forgets to hand in her Immunisation consent forms to the school on time and misses out on the FREE needles, therefore costing me ANOTHER squillion dollars to have the shots done by the doctor - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she takes 2 HOURS to wash 2 plates, 4 pieces of cutlery, and 3 pots - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she sits zombiefied in front of the TV to the point where I have to put a mirror under her nose to see if she is still breathing -  She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she tries to smuggle MY make-up and high heels on her Year 7 camp - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she screams at me, "You don't understand, you're old!" And, "IT'S MY LIFE!" - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she gives me the silent treatment for not letting her post photo's of herself in HER BIKINI on Facebook - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she spends 3 HOURS in the bathroom, then comes out looking exactly the same, and GLARES at me for asking what she's been doing all that time - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she won't eat because she thinks she is fat - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.

When she cries for no reason - She is a TEENAGER, it is NORMAL.


When she turned her face away as I went to kiss her goodbye for camp...

She is a teenager. It is normal.



17 comments:

  1. I love your affirmation! Reading this post scares me a little about what the future holds for me and my daughter. She's only 1 now so I still have some time before she becomes a teenager but I'm sure I'll be using the same affirmation when that time comes!

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  2. I'm hoping this list reads slightly different for boy teenagers. Having less moody teen years is the only thing keeping me from untying my tubes and artificially inseminating myself with a girl baby!

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  3. Been there, done that! My daughter made me late for work just about every day of her teenage life. The girl wouldn't get up when called in the morning. I went back 15 or 20 times to make sure she was up. She wasn't. She was a teenager, it was normal. Hah!

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  4. haha, so truth in that. not looking forward to those teenage years!

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  5. I have two teen boys 16 and 14, and one pre teen 11... and I LOVE TEENS!!!

    They are fun, and imaginative, loving and cool... maybe cuz they are boys?

    Maybe way less drama due to lack of estrogen?

    But you are right... she's a teen... it's normal... and she will be great... you wait and see.

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  6. Just remember the other affirmation for once they are grown and have flown the coop - "I sure miss those days."

    You forgot the other one - when the sheriff calls late in the evening and begins with the words "Do you have a farm near XYZ and do you have a son named J?" - don't worry, he is a teenager, it is inevitable. {*grin*}

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  7. It is so true! I vaguely remember my teenage years, and this sounds exactly right! I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old...I am so scared of my life in 10 years, ha!:)

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  8. You're a very understanding parent. She's a lucky teenager.

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  9. ha ha ha!!! soooo funny, Brea, I loved it. And this is what I have to look forward to, huh? God help me...

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  10. I am not ready for that!!! I have only 6 months left of non teendom! I am not ready. I loved this!! haha.

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  11. Well written warning. The parents of those darling children who are 4, 6 or even 10 don't have a clue how that child is going to morph into something completely different. NO ONE can prepare themselves...I've often said, (as the mother of 5) that God played a trick on us getting us to love our kiddos when they were little because no one could love a teenager unless they were related!!!

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  12. Oh God, THIS is what I have to look forward to? This? You've got to be kidding me? Give me her e-mail, I'll type some sense into her. The little brat!
    I think I remember being the same way to my step-mom. She thought I HATED her (which I kinda did) and thought my little sister did too (which she kinda did) and that it was just because she was our step-mom.
    Hopefully the ickiness will go away.
    Stay Strong!

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  13. Thanks for the love guys!

    I am staying strong with my OTHER affirmation,

    "When I get old, SHE'LL have to look after ME!!!"

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  14. I think boys are just a little different, not too much. Mine is 16! I use your mantra, modified to fit him often!

    However, I think I was a lot like your daughter (except for the whole posting bikini pictures---no internet back then!)! You're a good mom for being so understanding and still trying to kiss her!

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  15. Isn't THAT the truth! I remember those good old days! Will be interesting to see how my boys do when they are teenagers!

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  16. Well, you know how it's been with my teens. LOL!
    Son managed to survive the trip to the hospital.
    Daughter has yet to discover that fun stuff.

    I know it's all normal stuff, and I have to laugh at some of your descriptions.
    But boy howdy am I counting the days until I can pat them on the back and send them packing for college ;)
    .. then I'll spoil the grand babies rotten.

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  17. This was great Brea! I've got a couple of "normal" teenagers myself so I can relate. Good job on your Writer's Workshop post! Have a great day.

    Kristi, Live and Love...Out Loud
    @TweetingMama

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