My boy is turning 13, and I’m full of emotions.
It's a rollercoaster of joy and grief. There’s the joy in getting to watch the person he's becoming, savoring moments from every season. And it's mirrored by the grief of knowing it's another season of life we're moving on from as he continues to grow up. The teen years feel especially pivotal; another step toward letting go, and while it's not easy, I'm extremely grateful.
Both emotions can be felt at the same time. I can be incredibly proud of him while also grieving the little boy he’s leaving behind.
In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like stepping into this transition with my first born: the feelings, the conversations, the fears and the anticipation. I share a story about something my husband and I did to intentionally mark this milestone with our son and it's a practice I highly recommend (not just with your pre-teens but especially at this milestone).
We talk about:
Why it's important to acknowledge and honor the joy and grief as you transition out of one season and enter anotherA powerful practice you can share with your child to reflect, dream and prepare for the teen years with trust and accountabilityHow to keep that trust and open connection through all the changes teen years bring including friendships, technology, boundaries, and growing independenceMotherhood is full of seasons we want to cling to and moments we’ll treasure forever. Maybe the goal isn’t to choose between holding on and letting go, but to learn how to do both with gratitude.
If you’re in a similar season, I hope this message makes you feel seen and less alone in the mix of emotions. And if you have a teen, I'm open to your favorite parenting tip that’s helped your family stay rooted in faith, love and connection!
Be sure you’re subscribed to The BAD Mom Show so you don’t miss an episode- new ones drop every Wednesday! And please, leave a 5 star review if this message spoke to you!
The BAD Mom Society is launching this month! It's a FREE group and we're kicking it off with our first call TODAY, at 12p, EST! If you want to learn more or be a part of the Society, click here: Facebookfacebook.com/share/g/1N6911wJAU
Connect with me:
Instagram: @thetheresatoddFacebook: @thetheresatoddWebsite: www.thetheresatodd.comResources mentioned for navigating teen years:
birds-bees.com
Guy's Guide to God, Girls and The Phone In Your Pocket- LinkAmazon.com: Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket: 101 Real-World Tips for Teenaged Guys: 9781624169908: McKee, Jonathan: Books
Men Are Like Waffles--Women Are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences LinkMen Are Like Waffles-Women Are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences: Farrel, Bill, Farrel, Pam: 9780736968881: Amazon.com: Books