So first off, Brian got his job back as of this past Monday. We're glad for the paycheck again! We did just fine financially using our savings and cutting back and ended up with some money left in savings.
So I was just thinking of how I couldn't wait until my girls were older. I could carry on a conversation with them, they would be helpful around the house, blah, blah, blah. Well the girls are older. Lauren is 13 and Maddie is 12 (almost). OH MY GOODNESS!! I didn't factor in hormones. Man oh man. Surely I wasn't like this at that age.
They both get sooooo moody and snap at each other and their siblings. They don't dare snap at me. Fortunately Lauren only gets grumpy for about a week but it's a whole 'nother ball game with Maddie. When she was a toddler, we nicknamed her "Moody Joy". Her name is Maddie Joy but really Moody was more appropriate. She seemed to outgrow it but it's back with a vengence. It's really true that teenagers (much as I HATE that word) are like toddlers. When asked to do something that she doesn't "feel" like doing, Lauren slowly closes her eyes as if to say "my patience is wearing thin, lady." She does do the chore and does get reprimanded for the eye closing.
Most of the time they are okay to be around so that's good. We are studying Beauty & the Pig in school. Excellent book on true beauty as described in the Bible. Beauty in speech as well as action. They have many opportunities to practice patience and kind speech with 5 other kids around all the time.
So anyway, my vent is over. Boy each stage of raising kids presents new challenges and just when you think you've got it down. Keeps me humble I guess ;)
*Edited to add: Don't type a vent post when you yourself are going through PMS. Things seem so much worse than they really are ;)
8 comments:
Doug Wilson has a great tape/CD sermon series on "Feminine Modesty." You might like that, too. As I recall, it has some good stuff on teenage/hormonal daughters as well. I'm not sure, though, that part may have been in his parenting tape series "Loving Your Teenager." Corny name, great series! :) Hurray for Brian's job - we've been praying for you guys!
I have a moody 11 year old - totally feel your pain. One minutes she's sweet as candy, the next she's such a stinker. And this too shall pass, right? So thankful the other three are boys, I think they are more even keeled.
I was a little bummed when I found out our newest baby coming in April was a boy.I wanted a sister for Claire. This brings the count to one girl 4 boys. Then I got home from the sono and Claire was in such a mood. She's only 4! Anyway, my husband looked at me and said "I think we are not ready for another girl right now, God knows what he's doing" lol!
You are so right that teenagers are like toddlers. My DH teaches High School kids and has offered to trade with me for a day and I tell him No thanks, I already have to deal with toddlers all day.
OH dear, I already know now that I prefer my six-year old moody girl to stay 6 for the rest of her life...she can be soo moody already now that I am afraid for her puberty and hormones...Your post today didn't take this fear away, thanks amy ;)
Good luck !
I'm so glad Brian got his job back! Such a blessing.
No tips on the teenage years. Thankfully I have a waaays to go and I am not looking forward. LOL
Oh, goodness. It seems so early for Maddie!
I'm not so sure about it being easier with boys tho'. I know a certain soon-to-be-15 year old boy who can get into some real mood funks too. I try to get them to see they ARE in a mood and suggest things for them to pull to the side and regroup, like going and washing your face, or lying down for a little while, etc. But it's just "keep on keepin' on", isn't it. :)
I think one of the best things that my parents did when my sisters and I were in that stage and we would get our "moods" on, was reminding us that our attitudes are a choice, not a result of how we are "feeling". I remember it did feel tough to be on the receiving end of correction and I know that extra patience can go a long way. :-) Not that it gives an excuse, but patience and understanding can make a big difference in helping them understand that what they're going through is actually good, and that God is using this time to help grow them into beautiful, Godly young women.
Ackkk I should not have read this post. Grace is only going on six and I am sooo scared of the whole moody thing in the future. I wasn't moody but my sister was over-the-top-out-of-control-drive-me-insane moody. I swear if Grace does that to me she is gonna have to go live with the camel...they can be moody together, lol!
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