Teens

Well, I've started to come to the realization that I'm a mother of a teenaged daughter. Although there are many perks (such as having more grown up conversation and being able to leave her home alone), there are challenges too. It would seem that although Bex looks like her father (we call her Tim bit) she has an awful lot of me in her. She's brilliant (of course, if she's like me), but LAZY. She's never had to work at school and has been on the honour roll all the way through . . . until now.

Of course, we'll truly see when the report card comes out next month if she's not, but she's not doing so well this semester. She's failed a few tests and has assignments overdue. I was not really aware of her school struggles until a teacher called me at work on Friday. Yes, it was at this moment that I really understood that Bex is a teenager. Of course, it could definitely be worse . . . . much worse . . . but it was bad enough. Bex was given an extension on an assignment. On Friday, when it was a month overdue, the teacher asked Bex for her work. My darling daughter replied with "I don't think I can do that".

Now, I'd love to be able to say that to an employer. David, you want me to run those reports for you? I don't think I can do that. Susan, you want me to set up these new accounts? I don't think I can do that. Definitely not a line that goes very far in real life . . . nor did it at school I might add.

Wrong as Bex was, she is taking her punishment very well. I have volunteered her for detention this week, have denied her computer privileges and she had to write a letter of apology to the teacher. I have also spoken to her principal, so she had a wee little chat with him today.

All in all I think the school understands that we are supportive of them in educating our daughter and our daughter understands that we are supportive of her in her education.

Again, things could be worse and I definitely know that. Do you suppose, however, this could just be the start of something bigger? Worse yet, I have always expected Shannon to be harder to deal with so what will she be like at this age?

Lord, please give me strength and wisdom. I think I'm going to need it . . . and a whole lot of patience would be good too, but I don't really want it tested to see how much of it I've got.