Storm

A storm blew in and blew out. Quickly and Intensely. A pre-teen storm. A soon to be teen storm. I remember the ages when the girls were toddlers and there were quick storms. I had it down – I learned how to breathe, be calm and wait for it to pass. So I am doing that again. I have been truly spoiled. My girls are most often so easy, agreeable, helpful and willing. Not always. I’m not going to say it is always easy, but I do feel blessed by the girls.  I love parenting beyond everything and because I want to do such a good job at it, I think about it non-stop. Non-stop. Almost all of my experiences I want to share with the girls. I want to teach them and love them and spend time with them. I enjoy watching them grow and expand and become more and more independent.

I think I have read every single parenting book in the world. I am learning all about teen brains right now – frontal lobe development, spontaneity, impulse control. My older daughter teases me about all the brain books I read, but honestly it makes sense to understand the neurological development of the girls. It was fascinating when they were little and it still is now.

I love how after the storm passes there is a beautiful understanding of her crazy emotions and an eagerness to resolve. I received a sweet letter of apology and an authenticity of expression.  I remember when the girls were little and there would be a particularly intense time, more colic perhaps, crankiness, fussiness – I realized after these phases that there would be intense skill or cognitive development. They would have mastered something new – perhaps a new concept. (After today she will probably be able to fly!) Because, during the ages 11-13 (with room on both sides), these kiddo’s brains are developing at a rapid, and amazing rate, they are also faced with handling a lot of changes in themselves.  I want to be able to help them navigate it all.

I love watching this even when it is challenging. I love my soon to be teens. I have one teen already and I will, within the next three months, have two teenage daughters. Everyone expects it to be hard. I know it will be no harder than raising a child. I look forward to it and embrace it and have deep gratitude that I am able to have these children.  I am so lucky. I, like you, have the best daughters in the world.

My motto is: hike ‘em! When they are grumpy or cranky – hike ‘em. Go on a hike. Walk, move, hike. It will surely change the situation, turn it upside down. Turn it around.  So we hiked!

and it worked! (Phew…. thank goodness!)