Not too long ago there were some things that happened that I was really struggling with. I was very anxious, worried, upset, and disappointed. Out of nowhere someone that I had met years ago reached out to me and encouraged me, she cheered me on and empathized with me as a parent. A few things she said that really stuck out to me and helped me more than she will probably ever know. Parenting teenagers is HARD, it takes a village and God has placed certain people in your life so you're not doing life alone.
1. Your child still loves you and needs you and is just trying to figure out how to be independent
2. You aren't responsible for your child's actions or reactions to you, your job is to pursue them, encourage them to do what's right, and show them you love them.
3. God loves them more than we do. Pray for them and ask God to chase them down and bring them back
4. Be patient
5. Set boundaries and expectations but also show grace and understanding
6. Notice the good things they do, point them out, and make a BIG deal about them
7. With teenagers, when things are rough, they're really rough but when things are lovely, they're very lovely. Remember the lovely times until the rough times become lovely again.
Things have been so much better the past couple of weeks and I'm so thankful that she reached out to me. The friends you choose and the ones that God specifically places in our lives are so very important.
Regarding teenagers and dating, someone told me this: A dating relationship when you're not ready to be married should be like a sweet friendship. Otherwise it's like shopping with no money, you'll either end up disappointed or taking something that isn't yours.
For all of you parents out there, especially the ones of teenagers, I see you, I'm here for you, I'm grateful that we have each other to lean on and just know that we will make it through!
