In this episode, Saren reads a post she wrote back when her oldest child was just entering the teenage years as well as a very honest post she just wrote about what she’s currently learning and struggling to understand about teens now that her oldest is 15.
Show Notes
Five Tips for Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Pre-Teens (first post Saren read in this episode)
Trying to Figure out my Teenagers (post from Saren’s personal blog that she read next)
The Teen Brain (post referred to in Saren’s blog post)
Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks
Audio Editing by Christy Elder
Thank you!
Appreciate hearing someone else verbalize similar feelings of feeling like teen parenting throws them too (even in families of faith). Often wish for support network of moms like I had when midst of toddler/preschool era with playgroup. Perhaps you could get your mom to also do a podcast on topic since she is a super veteran of teen/young adult years. I thought early teens were tough but college years seem harder yet. Still on rollercoaster ride….my group spaced wider than yours so in it longer (but no wiser)….and youngest little behind yours so will be here awhile. Agree that can let some stuff slide better with #2. Just struggling to find balance with all especially 1 but often feel that personal failure and future fear.A priest from a large childhood family advised….old adage: lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink….true but wait because when they do get thirsty they will know where to find the water. So praying it’s true here
This was a great post and I can really sympathize with your frustrations. My kids were quite far about (almost 10 years apart) so I never had a herd of little kids like you are dealing with, but in my case ONE teenager at a time was plenty to cope with.
A suggestion – kids this age crave power and authority. Why not deputize each of your older ones to be responsible for getting themselves AND a younger sibling out the door on time? If their “team” of two is ready on time, maybe they can enjoy a treat or pick a fun family activity to do after church, even if it’s just a stroll in the park or getting ice cream together. Maybe that will take some of the drama out of your Sunday mornings and give your older ones some of the autonomy they crave.
I just finished listening to this and it was just what I was looking to listen to hear on POM! I really needed to hear this today. I have a 14 year old son that I am really struggling with and was hoping to find something on here to guide me and help me and this was it! I have never heard the study about the teenage brain being very similar to the toddler brain, but it makes so much sense! I am off to study it in depth. Thank you very much Saren!
This was so comforting! My girls are 14 and 13 (and an 11 year old son) and it has been interesting to say the least. I totally related to you rocking the elementary years! I call the years between 4-11 the Golden Years! I am left speechless more than once or twice with my girls and I feel like I can do or say anything without them being completely annoyed. Humbling is right. Oh my. Thank you for normalizing it! Also, the best book on parenting teens that I have ever read is Tough Guys and Drama Queens by Mark Gregston. It is a gem! He also has an amazing podcast called Parenting Today’s Teens. That has helped my husband and I get on the same page with this and we’ve learned to really pick our battles with these teens! Thanks again…I really enjoyed the listen!