Tag: parenting teenagers

Published November 2014: The Messenger - Faith: A Fresh Take Once a Parent, Always a Parent Once my children reached teenage status, I was entered into a whirlwind journey that I can clearly admit that I was not prepared for. It’s no secret that teenagers can be moody, more opinionated or even combative and know-it-all human… Continue reading Once a Parent, Always a Parent

Published November 2014: The Messenger - Faith: A Fresh Take Raising Informed Kids Although it may seem like as parents, we have it all together and have prepared our children for every situation, there are times when we realize that something has slipped through the cracks. I remember the shock I felt when my children told… Continue reading Raising Informed Kids

Published October 2014: The Messenger - Faith: A Fresh Take The Perfect Plan On a daily basis, I catch myself repeating the word “perfect” over and over again. When a meeting or plan is finalized, I respond with “That’s perfect.” When my children leave in the morning with beds made and rooms ‘somewhat’ picked up, I… Continue reading The Perfect Plan

Published October 2014: The Messenger - Faith: A Fresh Take The Harsh Truth: Trusting the Right Words The truth hurts. I’ve often thought that this popular phrase was overused and too much of a cliché, but the more I parent and teach students, the more I’ve realized that nothing is closer to the truth. As much… Continue reading The Harsh Truth: Trusting the Right Words

Published September 2014: The Messenger - Faith: A Fresh Take Worries From Home Being away from home is never easy as a single mom. Before I leave for a work trip, I have to coordinate care for my children, including rides to practices and social activities, while also arranging for someone to keep an eye on… Continue reading Worries From Home

Each year, on the first day of school, I make my children line up outside so I can take their picture. As they get older, they groan and moan about this tradition, but after some prodding, they line up on the back deck in front of the large cherry apple tree and smile for a few seconds so I can capture the moment.

As summer winds to a close, I often jokingly say that I’m counting the days until school starts while mediating arguments and dealing with restless teenagers. As a teacher, I love the fact that I get to stay home with my kids during the summer. We stay busy with day trips, dance and football practices and jaunts to my sister’s pool, but at times, it seems that the kids are restless when a day of “there’s nothing on the calendar” arrives.

As a teacher, I crave those teachable moments in life. From a tidbit online to help with my writing to an eye-opening experience in the classroom, I’ve committed to be a lifelong learner. What I never expected, though, is that parenting offers me the most opportunity for those ‘aha’ moments and I’ve learned more about love, life and faith as a parent than in any other role in life I have.