Forget your image of brooding creatures filled with darkness and angst (teens not vampires)

Forget your image of brooding creatures filled with darkness and angst. I’m not talking about Vampires – I’m talking about teens.

I love teenagers and I’m an adult. But I used to be a teen. It was a really long time ago but sometimes it seems like yesterday. I’m a responsible adult but with responsibility comes the knowledge that I STILL have a sense of humor and a sense of wonder and a sense of fun. Those are three things (humor, wonder and fun) that teens add to the world – and seemingly without effort.

The hardest part about having teens is the fact that soon they’ll be grown and out of the house, leaving you alone with your spouse and a bunch of dogs and cats (and maybe other assorted small creatures you have to care for).

So give them some credit and as a whole give them a break. Let them dream big. Let them laugh out loud. Let them explore the possibilities and feel free to explore with them.

As a mom I can’t stand it when people say “You have teens” as if I’m keeping a house full of rabid skunks and ax murderers. Or they think all we do is yell and scream at each other.

And sure teens can be self-centered and selfish – but in turn they can also be the most loving and caring creatures on earth. Their friendships and loyalty to their friends is golden with them.

We hear about bullies but most teens aren’t like that. They hate it. They hate drama. But of course it is the drama queens, the bullies and the ones who do harm or scream the loudest who get the attention.

So sure, there will be issues if you have teens in your life, but if you keep the ground rules clear and lines of communication open it will the best time you’ve ever had (aside from when you were a teen).

So my rules are:

For kids – listen, put down your cell phone, take your hat off inside, show some respect, stop with the attitude because there is no reason for it, look forward to the future and talk to your parents. TALK TO YOUR PARENTS and show a little interest in their lives too.

For parents: LISTEN. Watch. Let yourself trust them. TALK to openly and honestly about sex, drugs, relationships and alcohol. Let them fly but have clear limits and expectations. Talk to them about their future. Let them have interests that aren’t yours (including their music – listen to it with them because you might like it too.) Do things together. Smile. Tell them that you love them. Show interest. They need you now as much as when they were toddlers so be there for them.

But you already know all of that stuff. Pat yourself on the back. Give your kid a hug.

And that is my feel good message for today.

Oh right. For all of you Vampire parents out there, keep following this blog and look up old posts for issues specific to Vampires (and Werewolves too.)

~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman