PARENT [rev-o-lu-tion]

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5 Comments

Comment by Kara on January 19, 2009 at 6:15pm

One day a coworker said to me, "Wow - you really only have about 4 years left with your daughter!". Freaked me out. Have had nightmares about my 15 year old daughter leaving. Sometimes I feel like an empty nester, even though she still lives with us. I look at every opportunity to do things with her as a blessing and hopefully a time she will remember. (gosh, I tear up just thinking about this). She is a smart, athletic, sarcastic, funny, young woman who is interested in boys, electric guitars, soccer and Blink 182. She still needs me....but she doesn't want to have to need me. Yikes. I must have put my poor mother through hell! But, if she doesn't need me - I want her to be around me - and not because she has to, either. She tells me I am still cool and likes being with me. I am so lucky to have her. I am not ready for her to go to college (she already has her dorm decorations picked out and "can I have a cat in college?"....answer: NO. But you all are right - we are savvy - and so are our kids. I think this generation is the best prepared to handle the pressures and transition into adulthood. But, I do miss her little hand in mine and reading stories to her (and having an excuse to see the latest Pixar movie). But, our foundation is laid - we have a strong, trustworthy relationship and all we can do is just pray and hope for the best.

Comment by Amy Davis on August 21, 2008 at 1:22pm

I spent the last 18 years of my life preparing my children to be courageous, self-sufficient, confident in themselves and eager to pursue their dreams. The catch is, I never thought they would actually learn those lessons and leave me. So here I am, feeling lonely and without a sense of purpose. I’m proud and supportive on the outside, but on the inside I secretly wish they would come back home. When we moved to Idaho in July, both children made the decision to stay in Kentucky to finish school. Heidi will start her freshmen year at Eastern Kentucky University tomorrow (eek!) and Andy moved in with his father to finish high school with his friends. After years of parental selflessness, my inner selfishness is crying out for them to need me. I’m sure other parents can understand. . .maybe it’s not college yet but surely you’ve had those moments where your child has gotten too old to hold your hand in public or some other milestone where they transition a little more into the person they will become and a little less the baby you held. So it is our job to encourage their growing, but I think it’s okay to feel a little sad on the inside.

Comment by Adam Cox on June 9, 2008 at 7:14pm

I would highly recommend the book"Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" by Meg Meeker. I heard about it on a XM radio show "Dave Ramsey", got it read and it has changed how I look at my daughter and every woman out there.

Comment by Leigh Caraccioli on April 9, 2008 at 6:58am

Understanding this generation is difficult, even for hip saavy intuitive parents like us. I hope this forum can be a place to share our ideas, confusion, frustration, and suggestions for helping gen y blossom into responsible adulthood.

Comment by Nicole on April 8, 2008 at 10:43pm

This is amazing Amanda....thank you for always inspiring me to learn more and be better....this will help me get ahead of the "Teenage Years" ....girls, girls, girls...I believe are in my son's future :)