Reflections on Life: Raising a Teenage Boy

Grrrrrrr . . . Need I say more?  Everyone has issues raising their teens, right?  I know there are some who would like to say their children are perfect, but believe you me, they are not.

I love my son.  He is my heart and soul.  But, there are times that I want to strangle him.  Keep in mind that I choose my battles.  If I tried to "correct" or monitor every single thing, we'd both go crazy.  So, I let him be a teen.  He gets to socialize as much as he wants, he doesn't have to keep his room clean (although there is a limit), he doesn't have to go places with me, etc.  In return, I expect good grades (not necessarily straight As, but he has to try), no drinking, drugs, smoking, or sex, being a good citizen, and treat others with respect.  Do you want to guess which of these become battlegrounds?  Let's just say all of them.

So, I bang my head on the wall, I talk to him over and over, and I try to instill good habits upon him.  Can I really do more than that?  Some would say yes, others agree with me, but ultimately, it will be up to him as to what kind of person he will be.  I throw a lot of advice and wishes at him, and pray constantly for him, and just hope it all sticks, and he becomes a fine, upstanding citizen.

Until next time, much love and peace.