I Am Proud of My Teen

There's a distinct lack of Gamer in my posts. This gap has been gnawing away at me for weeks. Many times I have thought, "Gee, I really should put something in here about Gamer and raising a teen" but I haven't. And I think I know why...

It is very difficult to get a nice photo of a teen. Has anyone with teens ever noticed how difficult it is to get a nice photo of their teen? You know one where they're not doing something obnoxious to themselves or with someone else! Or sometimes for them to even ALLOW you to take a photo of them!

Seriously though, the main reason is respect. Respect for him and his personal space. This is the Internet. What I write and publish enters the blogosphere and then it is 'out there'. Anyone could read what I write about my teenager. If my post was of a personal nature it could be used to ridicule or bully him in real life. So I have held back.

But today I want you to know how proud I am of him. The last three years have been life changing for him. At the same time as becoming a teenager three younger siblings were added to the family, removing his only child status and cramping his style and home!

I am proud of him for understanding the importance of family. I am proud of him for going along with his mum's crazy ideas and actually coming out a better person. I am proud of him when he is out in the community that he represents his family beautifully. He is well mannered, respectful and interested in other people.

Steve and I have done a good job so far! Some of our parenting strategies must have worked! It's going to get tough now and I think I need some new tools in my parenting tool box to get us through the next 5 years. Over the next few weeks I am going to be reviewing some of the resources and strategies I have on hand and sharing them with you.