An open letter to my teenage son, from Mom:
As we wrap up another school year (7th and 11th grades), I can’t help but feel nostalgia, excitement, sadness and pride, all at the same time with my teenage boys. I mean from the time I became pregnant (all those years ago), I’ve been preparing them to become self-sustaining humans. I’m painfully aware my teenager is in a unique space. He’s my man-child, straddling boyhood and manhood, turning 17yrs old this summer. We’re moving into our year of ‘lasts’.
Slow the fudge down boys… wasn’t it just yesterday I gave birth to you, you drank from my breasts, yet now you are literally exploding into young men?
One of my greatest gifts has been navigating this beautiful yet complicated relationship between mother and son. Raising gentlemen is a very serious job, not one I take lightly, and I’m strangely excited to see how this next chapter is going to turn out. My teenage boys are my everything… and I think it’s fair to say most parents would die protecting their kids. My sweet boys have seen and dealt with more than any mum wants her children to ever see (no 10 yr old boy should help empty drains after mum’s double mastectomy surgery fighting breast cancer. If I didn’t say it before, I’ll say it again… Cancer is a fucking arsehole that can randomly chose to ruin anyones day!)
I pray as a mum I haven’t screwed things up too badly, and most of all, I pray you find your dreams and happiness in life. I pray I can be the mum you need right now. These teenage years are short (but when you are 12 minutes past curfew, they feel really looooooong!) Next week you’ll be wrapping up junior year and next year you’ll be packing for college! (sniff sniff… I’m not crying, you’re crying!)
Naturally I’m having that stern chat with myself (that I have every year at this time!) about how we’re going to really enjoy this summer and the next school year. I’m not going to stress out, I’m not going to sweat the small stuff, I’m going to yell less, and I’m going to parent from a positive place not a negative place. (I read that in a recent article! ha!) I got this… all sounds super easy and doable… so look out bud… we’re in for the best and most productive year yet!
However, in case I screw up (again) and forget about all of those parenting techniques I’m going to master to ensure we have the ‘healthiest year possible’, here are a few things I want need you to know sweet boy, in no particular order.
Featured image taken by the awesome Steve Gaffney
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I’m a travel and health writer, digital and brand consultant, breast cancer survivor, and supermom to two active boys! I keep it real and share stories of raising teenage boys, family life after a cancer diagnosis, and family travels around the world! Each story is shared with my dry, and sometimes naughty sense of humor.
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In a world that seems to be constantly changing and finding ways to become more…
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I officially have an empty nest. Both of my metaphorical ‘baby birds’ have…
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Zoe G | 30th May 18
Wow…. just wow.
Making notes as we speak.
Thanks Sam xx
Samantha | 30th May 18
It’s such a cliche, but the time really does fly… all we can do is hope we didn’t screw them up too badly! 😉 . xx
| 30th May 18
Not a mom, but older sister and I’m trying to raise my little brother. Randomly began following you because I was looking for an insight on Loyola, so I tagged Loyola online and saw you have a son there. My brother is headed there in August. I’m so happy to see someone else with the exact same mentally as myself, it only motivates me more to keep reminding him of these things. Wish nothing but the best for you and your boys.
Samantha | 30th May 18
Wow, what a small world. My son will be a senior at Loyola in August! He loves it there! And kudos to you for helping to raise your little brother.