Just like any parent, my parenting style has evolved over time. At this stage of my life, I am in a unique place where all of my children are teenagers. The Mom of Teens, MOT, depicts a moment in time for me as a parent. Here’s what it’s like:
The MOT: shops with her children and borrows her daughters’ tops while lending her daughters her own shoes.
The MOT: self talks.
The MOT: role models for her children to become contributing members of the community.
The MOT: encourages her children to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
The MOT: keeps to a timely schedule that runs to the minute… one small task added to the schedule could have a severe impact on the day.
The MOT: goes to sleep before her children.
The MOT: understands the importance of date night with her husband, which she knows is setting an example for her children’s relationships later on in life.
The MOT: learns technology through her children.
The MOT: sees what her children are up to on social media.
The MOT: maintains composure when her child comes home with a nose ring (not happy about It though).
The MOT: is a medical hobbyist, waiting it out when her children get a virus.
The MOT: listens to her children when they are sad or have a confrontation with a friend and gives them strategies and tips to move forward (without calling the other child’s parent).
The MOT: previously a helicopter mother, allows her children to thrive by letting go of the kite to soar (maybe an inch at a time).
The MOT: gives her children her advice when asked (occasionally when not) and hopes her feedback becomes their inner-voice, eventually.
The MOT: listens while her child cries on her way to university and then cries all the way home herself.
The MOT: is mindful of each and every minute she spends with her family.
