Weary Parent: Parenting Tweens & Teens

The Big 1-4

by Christine on August 5th, 2008

Today my son turns 14. On his 13th birthday I was whining about how I couldn’t believe my boy was already a teenager. But then 14 hit and I realized 13 is nothing. At 13 he was a teenager, but that was it. There were no additional privileges. No additional responsibilities. 13 was just a number. Just like 12.

But now at 14 there are all kinds of changes. There’s a whole new set of things for me to worry about.

At 14 he can get his learner’s permit. I’m just now starting to get used to his older brother driving and now I’m about to have two teenagers driving. It’s enough to make a grown woman hide in a corner in the fetal position.

At 14 he is starting high school. In just fifteen days he will be a freshman. How could I be the mother of a high schooler? Granted we already have one kid in high school, but he’s my stepson. When he started high school two years ago it was my husband that was the old man. I was the much younger (by four years) second wife (even though he and his ex weren’t married). But now? Now a child I carried for nine months and breast fed for six months is off to the next stage of his life. And I have to admit I’m getting a little teary-eyed just thinking about it.

At 14 he can get a job (with a work permit) and he’s all gung ho about it. He’s already picked up some applications. He can’t wait to make his own money and not have to beg us to give him “just $5…I swear I’ll pay you back.” I can’t get him to do his chores without grumbling, but he’s ecstatic about serving and cleaning up after complete strangers. Go figure.

I’m so excited about all of his new adventures, but I’m also terrified about his new independence. These teenage years are such a roller coaster of emotions…for parents.

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