I have 2 teenagers in my house. One who turns to his mom for advice and will continue to let me know that he loves me. The other has decided doing anything with mom is pure torture. He may or may not say that he loves you when you tell him that you love him. It’s frustrating.
I love how the Oldest has started to embrace being a teenager. He doesn’t hang out with many of his friends outside of school. However, I know he has a group of friends that he calls his Guys.
He also has a girlfriend which is new territory for him. They’ve been dating since April.
So what would my advice be to my 2 teenagers? Since they are both so different, I have different pieces of advice.
Oldest – Continue to hang out with your Guys. Make memories with them. Girls come and go but a great friend will stay with you.
Young love is new and exciting. Don’t change yourself for her. Treat her with respect. Remember your family and how we raised you. Let her know you care about her. Think with your mind not your hormones.
Communication is key. Always remember to communicate.
Youngest – Family is important. When we want to spend time with you, we want to create memories. We love you. Don’t forget that. Please take time to say I love you and not the word yes when we speak to you.
Yes, we want you to do chores. Please do them correctly the first time or we will harp on you until you do it right.
Grades are important. Please begin to turn in your assignments. Don’t be a class clown.
Stay kind!
Believe in the Magic Traci Diary 
All good advice. Sounds like your’re doing a good job.
As someone in Christian ministry to young active duty military kids, their biggest areas of trouble are:
#1) Not having a secure of identity about who they are independent of what others think of them.
#2) Not know how to handle money, live on a budget and manage debt.
#3) How to work and meet standards set for that work and not expect something for nothing. (I love you’re doing that about chores with your youngest,) So many kids get exited from the military for not keeping the rules and doing the work as required.
#4) The value of having & cherishing friendships. So many military kids are so focused on finding a marriage partner, they give no time making friends and enjoying life with friends. They’d feel less lonely if they were invested in friendships and would have support when the breakup happens.
#5) I do believe a solid faith/ethical/morality foundation does help kids after they’ve left home weather the tides and winds of life choices and peer pressure. That old adage: raise a child in the way he ought to go and when he is grown he’ll not depart from it.
So good job! (I was sick this week, by the way, so I didn’t do any blog posting.)
These are great thoughts. My children were also very different from each other, so I get that part!
Aw great advice! You’re doing a wonderful job with them. š