How To Parent a Teenager

I’m just going to say it…

When it comes to my teenager, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING!!!

Do I step in??

Do I step out??

Do I move out of the way of natural consequences??

Do I intervene and advocate??

Do I give more responsibility??

Or less??

Does he need to talk??

Should I bite my tongue??

What about a hug?? Maybe THAT’S what he needs??

And was that the right thing to say?????

I just DON’T KNOW.

But maybe it doesn’t really matter.

Maybe the important thing is I keep trying.

Keep showing up.

Keep floundering through this parenting thing as best I can and apologize when it’s clear I’ve jacked yet another part up.

Maybe it doesn’t matter exactly what I DO…but that I do it.

Or exactly what I SAY…but that I say it.

And maybe all I can do is say ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m proud of you’ a thousand times a day along with a kiss on the forehead.

Because maybe that’s all they really need…a perfectly imperfect mom who just Never Stops Loving.

I can do that.

So, I guess I’ll just keep stepping in.

And stepping out.

I might do a little hokey pokey and turn myself about.

And I’ll keep trying.

And LOVING.

Because, really, isn’t that what it’s all about???