Growing Pains

I have learned so much in the past year as a parent of a junior high student. First of all we always hear it is nothing like when we were in school but in so many ways it is. This is the time when so many are trying to find themselves as a person, things they like and learning who is really there friends. You want to save your children from all the unnecessary girly mess but you can't they have to learn what it is like to have a real argument with their best friend. They have to learn who to hang around and make new friends with keeping some old and also the very hard one letting some old friends go. You go through everyone crushing on the same boys along with balancing school, and activities. I am grateful that I have a relationship where my child and I talk. No I don't know everything but I leave that door open and I play CSI sometimes and find out on my own too (lol!) but we talk. Yes she hates it but if I am not the one she is talking to then who will it be. I treasure this age although it was a test for me as well learning to let go baby steps, giving her space, etc. of course she still complain that is what they do but when she is older she will be thankful for me being open and just listening. I also learned the importance of volunteering this year more than when she was in elementary I was able to be there with out being their and in her face half the time she never knew I was at the school. "TRUST" has been our word this year of course she has tried to push that but I also tell her you better tell me before someone else and if I find out on my own then your in trouble just tell me the truth up front so I love when she comes in and says "Before you kill me...". I treasure those days when she wants to be momma girl and stay at home and just bond. I thank the lord for this moment which is making her along with myself a better person and parent.