~The Progression of Children~
When children are born they are completely dependant on their loving parents for everything. As a matter of fact, research shows that babies actually do not even recognize themselves as being separate individuals from their mothers. More like a sort of extension of themselves.
As a baby enters “toddlerhood” they often suffer with separation anxiety and cling to their mommy for dear life at the very thought of any type of momentary separation.
A short time after this phase, toddlers become very aware that they are distinctly separate from their parents by exhibiting their own autonomy by using the word “NO!” emphatically and at every possible opportunity. At the same time however, there is a sort of idol worship taking place. Parents, especially mommy, can do no wrong. She is nothing short of a Goddess in her young child’s eyes. In my personal opinion, they have perfect 20/20 vision at this stage!
Then they start school and they discover the awesomeness that is a school teacher! In all things intellectual, everyone else takes a firm second place…even mom! Suddenly anything you tell your child is simply a theory, and your “theories” are usually wrong. Period.
By high school another shift in perceptions takes place. Our precious child comes to the realization that it is not teachers who have all of the answers as they previously supposed, they themselves do!
~Yes, teenagers, in fact, know EVERYTHING!~
If you don’t believe me, just ask a teenager. Seventeen years ago when my first daughter became a teenager she made it clear that there was nothing I could tell or teach her that she didn’t already know and the things that I had thought to be true were just plain wrong. Now, as I enjoy the many blessings of raising my fifth teenager…with many more years of wisdom under my belt than the other four times around, apparently I am just as dumb, if not dumber, than I was then. I guess I am intellectually regressing.
Bummer!
Good news! Somewhere in their early 20’s (or 30’s depending on the “child”), these young adults feel they must concede that we aren’t so dumb after all and that we may have been right a time or two.
Good news! Somewhere in their early 20’s (or 30’s depending on the “child”), these young adults feel they must concede that we aren’t so dumb after all and that we may have been right a time or two.
Hallelujah!
And more good news still…at some point along their journey in life, let’s say after they turn 30, our blessed offspring turn to us and humbly acknowledge that parents are pretty smart and then they do what we thought was unimaginable. They do what we thought was only possible in fairy tales and Hallmark movies:
THEY ASK FOR OUR ADVICE!!!
So, hang in there, because I have to say that it’s almost worth the 30 years of arguing, disagreeing, incompatibility, fighting, bickering and squabbling to finally have your grown angel come to you and say,
And more good news still…at some point along their journey in life, let’s say after they turn 30, our blessed offspring turn to us and humbly acknowledge that parents are pretty smart and then they do what we thought was unimaginable. They do what we thought was only possible in fairy tales and Hallmark movies:
THEY ASK FOR OUR ADVICE!!!
So, hang in there, because I have to say that it’s almost worth the 30 years of arguing, disagreeing, incompatibility, fighting, bickering and squabbling to finally have your grown angel come to you and say,
“Mom, I need your advice.”
*Note these are my observations over my 30 years of motherhood and after many years of teaching Parent Education. I will not be held accountable if your child chooses to run off of a different time table. After all, being unpredictable and keeping us off balance is our children’s job.
*Note these are my observations over my 30 years of motherhood and after many years of teaching Parent Education. I will not be held accountable if your child chooses to run off of a different time table. After all, being unpredictable and keeping us off balance is our children’s job.
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