This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. All opinions (and memories!) are my own.
THEN
What it was like the first time you read at least one word off of the sight word list after the two us practiced for days (or weeks on end). It slowly turned into you reading small books to me, and eventually my sharing a favorite series from childhood with you (Goosebumps or Fear Street anyone?). Then the two of us bonding over something that I never thought imaginable, making nighttime reading so much fun for both of us.
NOW
You sit for hours reading books about biology and chemistry, making sure that you are prepared for your test at the end of the week. You stay after school several days a week on your own accord to make sure you take advantage of all the extra help available. The joy on your face when I told you I found a tap class for older girls, and how you’ve never stopped dancing since that moment.
I remember every moment. And every moment is as special to me as the last one was, and as the next one will be. This video pretty much sums up those feelings:
Parenting isn’t easy. Talking to your teen can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Ken Ginsburg has an excellent piece that reminds us how we can take all of those memories we are so fond of when they were babies, and still see it in them as teens.
What memories do you have from babyhood? What are some qualities that make your teen absolutely amazing now?
Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.
