Making the most of summer

I have a love/hate relationship with summer.  I love being able to stay up late and sleep in, and I enjoy a more relaxed schedule of activities.  That's about it; I hate the heat and humidity, the bugs, the storms, and yard work.  When my kids were younger, there was the added challenge of keeping them busy (i.e., entertained).  By mid-July, I felt like Julie, the cruise director on "The Love Boat," and my children were definitely not into shuffleboard!  

One summer, the light bulb went on, and I discovered I possessed cheap labor within my own house.  Why, I could put these little munchkins to work and really accomplish something over the summer!  This genius plan had to be carried out with great finesse, however, because the workers could not know they were actually doing chores.  That would never fly.  

I began by casting a vision of the future, planting dreams of complete freedom and independence.  Anyone with teenagers knows it's not hard to get them thinking about the day they will be on their own.  After hearing their grandiose ideas of life without parental interference, I reminded them of those pesky little realities of life.  You know, things like doing your cooking, cleaning and laundry, buying your own groceries and (gasp!) paying your own bills.  

"Wouldn't it be so much easier if you already knew how to do all those things?" I inquired.  Okay, so their response was less than enthusiastic, but at least they had some positive motivation to do a little work.  

For some specific ideas, check out the article below.  It was written for children ages 6-12, but most of the suggestions fit teens as well.  And remember, one day they WILL thank you!  

Educational Summer Activities

Tween queen for a day

Today's birthday at my house isn't making me feel any younger either.  Emma, my "baby", turned 11 and is firmly entrenched in all that is tween.  That means Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, and a host of other Disney and Nickelodeon stars are pretty big at our house.  That also means the teen years are not far off.  I think I can FEEL the gray hairs creeping in already!    

Emma has been struggling with a severe asthma flare-up for the past week, so she hasn't felt well on her special day.  I'm sure she'd appreciate prayers for quick healing!    

22 years young

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth."  Psalm 127:4

It's one of those days that will forever be burned in my memory.  Every detail remains clear, right down to what I was wearing.  It was a day that changed my life forever; it was the day I became a parent.  

I was just one week shy of 22 years old when that whopping ten pound, redhead baby boy made his first appearance in the world.  Today, the now six-foot lanky young man turns 22 himself.  I have a new perspective about how young I really was when Jeremy was born.  No wonder I felt so clueless as a new parent!  

Through the years, he has been the child who could always make me laugh and was always humble enough to be able to laugh at himself, a quality I admire and aspire to.  Jeremy's smile is contagious, and I know it's the reason why God gave him those dimples.

Of course, I shed a few tears over my son as well, mostly during his teen years.  And I must say, he was probably the reason for most of the gray hairs I now have.  Still, I'm thankful for the lessons learned (for both of us).  

He is the arrow, I am the warrior, and I've had to release him to the world, knowing full well that God is sovereign over where he will land.  

Happy birthday, Jeremy!

    

Happy Mother's Day!

May madness has begun at our house.  It begins tomorrow with Mother's Day, followed by four birthdays in 11 days at our house!  We also have about a dozen family members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in May, not to mention graduations, end-of-the-school year concerts and recitals.  By the time May is over, I'm as ready for summer vacation as the kids are!  

Just another reason to marvel at my own mother and how she managed to keep our household running without a hitch.  I'm not sure I inherited her energy or organizational ability!  

Tonight I am lifting up a prayer for all the moms out there, especially mothers of teenagers.  I pray that God will give you a day of appreciation for your cherubs, no matter how un-precious they may be right now.  :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Great expectations?

This article raises some interesting questions; such as, are we more interested in our teens' morality or in their relationship with Jesus?  Or are the expectations we place on our teenagers unrealistic and burdensome?  I'd love to hear what all of you think.  

High School Students Feel the Weight

Discrimination against teens

My 17-year-old daughter has mentioned many times that she feels discriminated against when she goes shopping.  "Just because I'm a teenager, the clerks automatically think I'm a shoplifter too," she'll say.  She's probably right, but I remind her that they are just doing their job.  

This article came to my attention today.  I didn't realize until I got to the end that is was written by a teen (who happens to be a very eloquent writer!).  He makes some valid claims about discrimination, but more so, he gives adults a fresh perspective on how they view teenagers.  

'Teenism' gives young adults an undeserved rep