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Parenting a Teenager is Harder Than I Ever Thought it Would Be

In: Teen

2 Minute Read

By Mikala Albertson

Mom with arm around her teenage son, black and white photo — Image via Mikala Albertson

Remember the sleep deprivation of having a newborn?

Remember the mental drain of potty-training a toddler?

Or the worry of dropping your five-year-old to kindergarten?

Multiply that by 10.

And that’s parenting a teenager.

RELATED: He’s Right in Front of Me, But Sometimes I Miss My Son

Now instead of waking up overnight to nurse my newborn, I’m staying up till midnight to pick up my teenager from a late night out with friends.

Now instead of being consistent with my potty-training methods, I’m setting boundaries for screens or rules or grades or chores. And holding fast no matter how many meltdowns I face.

Now instead of a whole day away at kindergarten, I’m dropping my teenager to the doors of high school (knowing college looms not far behind).

And I’m still worrying and wondering.

Will he be OK? What if he struggles? What if he NEEDS me?

I’m pretty sure all those earlier parenting challenges were preparing me for today.

These days of parenting a teenager.

EVERYTHING feels multiplied!

The drama.

The laundry pile.

The stack of shoes by the back door.

The back-talk.

The food bill (definitely the food bill!).

And it’s hard.

Parenting a teenager is harder than I ever thought it would be.

RELATED: I Never Knew I Would Be So Lonely Raising Teenagers

But just as my heart nearly BURST with pride at the sight of my newborn flashing his first toothless smile . . .

Or my toddler running around in his superhero underpants after a successful trip to the “potty train” . . .

Or my kindergartener charging through the door after school to wrap me in a hug and show me his latest creation . . .

Now I stand next to my 6-ft.tall son, and I notice his muscles or his deep voice as he tells me a story about school. I cheer when he sinks a three-pointer in the game, or we laugh together over some ridiculous meme (that I probably don’t really get).

And my heart very nearly BURSTS with pride . . .

Multiplied 10 times.

This post originally appeared on Ordinary on Purpose, by Mikala Albertson

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Mikala Albertson

Mikala is a wife, family practice doctor turned mostly stay-at-home mom to five kids, and writer. She is the author of Ordinary On Purpose: Surrendering Perfect and Discovering Beauty Amid the Rubble available wherever books are sold. Mikala writes to give you permission to release your grip on all the should-dos and have-tos and comparisons and “I’m not measuring up”s and just be free to live your life. THIS life, however imperfect. In this body with these relationships in this house at this job with these parents and these circumstances. Your ONE precious, beautiful life! Join her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Parenting a Teenager is Harder Than I Ever Thought it Would Be

RELATED: He’s Right in Front of Me, But Sometimes I Miss My Son

I’m pretty sure all those earlier parenting challenges were preparing me for today.

Parenting a teenager is harder than I ever thought it would be.

RELATED: I Never Knew I Would Be So Lonely Raising Teenagers

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Mikala Albertson

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

It’s Time for Us To Start Talking about Menopause

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Parenting a Teenager is Harder Than I Ever Thought it Would Be

I’m pretty sure all those earlier parenting challenges were preparing me for today.

Parenting a teenager is harder than I ever thought it would be.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

It’s Time for Us To Start Talking about Menopause

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