Teenagers....need I say more?

When did I turn from "Mom - who knows everything" to "Mom - who knows nothing"? Why does that happen?

Every time I turn around I am fighting with my 13 year old. Whatever happened to not speaking back or questioning your parents? Whatever happened to respect? I just don't know where to even begin....

Brandon has always been a great kid! Mostly willing to help, he recieved pretty good grades without putting forth a ton of effort, everyone's friend. Now he doesn't help without sarcasm and a fight, his grades have been slipping and again, we are fighting over this, too. He is still everyone's friend, except for mine (or so it seems) just look at his phone bill with the 50 plus text messages a day. Yes, we have unlimited text messaging.

If I ask him to help with Dawson - it is a fight or an excuse that makes it turn into a fight. If I ask him to clean the bathroom or do other chores - it is an excuse again or another fight. If I ask him to do his reading homework - it is an excuse or another fight. If I ask him to clean his room - it is another fight. If I ask for his help with anything - it reaks sarcasm when he answers me - and again we fight. If I ask him to participate in "family night" - he looks at me like I have 3 heads and then - you guessed it - another fight. When does it end????? AHHHHHH!

So, I finally have decided to STOP the fighting. How do you go from always raising your voice - to not doing it anymore? I have stopped and did the 10 breaths...that worked - NOT! I have stopped and walked away - he followed me. I have even stopped and said the Serenity Prayer.

GOD grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

This has helped me realize - it is something I can change. With God ALL things are possible! EVEN RAISING TEENAGERS! Imagine that...