My son is a senior and especially this year every morning on Facebook I look through my memories. One little gem I ran across was "can't y'all do more than just ask if I have homework because I'll just say no every time." That was from 7th grade. It's been a long road...
He has enlisted in the Marines but doesn't leave until August. It seems that he is going through some type of mid-teen life crisis. Maybe it's that he's leaving. I don't know but I'm about worn out. Just this week he got in trouble because he joined a picture for a club photo that he is not a part of, encouraged others to make obscene gestures while the picture was being taken then decided to sign a name that wasn't his (to mark where they were standing so they knew whose name to put in the yearbook).
It is so hard when your child has a goal. Then he proceeds to do things that would keep him from that goal. As a mom you feel like you're carrying dead weight on your back trying to get him to the finish line.
I've tried not to be a quote "helicopter" parent. I have let them suffer the consequences (most of the time). This senior year I have reflected so much on my parenting and lack there of. I could have not dreamed of a better dad for my kids. We haven't been the best. We've failed in areas. I wish we would've attended church regularly, prayed as a family more, had more family time and the list could go on and on.
In his mid-teen life crisis he broke up with his wonderful girlfriend who seemed to keep his crazy in check. Our whole family loves her and we're heartbroken. We're praying things will work out in the future.
I guess some good things we've done as parents is instill in them a love of country, love of the outdoors. They love to fish and hunt and are both great shots. When they were upset about life or whining and complaining about something I would say what's my motto? "You didn't raise wimps." (this is not about crying or genuinely being upset this is more about saying the yard is too hard to mow. So don't message me about how I'm heartless.) We have hugged them, kissed them, cuddled them and at the same time tried to raise them to be physically tough, not afraid of anything (within reason) and to realize there is nothing wrong with physical labor. (Maybe this is why they both want to be Marines. Ha)
So in his mid-teen life crisis I'm trying to remind myself that God is ultimately in control. I cannot protect him or stop him from being a total moron.
All I can do is to continue doing the job God entrusted me with 18 years ago. Now most of the doing is praying. Praying he'll make it to graduation, he'll make it to ship out date and most importantly that'll he'll be a good man. As the song says:
"He's gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by, I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave
But as he drives out, he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me
There's worse folks to be like
Aw he'll be alright, if he's anything like me"
Years are gonna fly by, I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave
But as he drives out, he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me
There's worse folks to be like
Aw he'll be alright, if he's anything like me"
