for all the moms on forum...guys might appreciate too

[CRABBY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG1M-OdVYl0

[ksgirl]

Thanks Crabby, I needed that. I'm having some problems with my daughters right now and that made me feel a lot better.

[red1030]

CRABBY...that was so funny and so true. i can even remember those days even through they are a long time ago...grandmas are different than moms you know.. we don't care if they wash behind their ears or not, we only care that we get a hug before they leave to go home...love you Red

[chrischris]

Thanks Crabby -- That was good!

[vickinat]

Thanks Crabby:

I remember the days when my daughter was young, and it seemed like that every day and night. We had to hurry for everything, from getting her to the sitter for me to get to work, going to girl scouts or church. Then later hurrying for bowling, waterpolo games, swimming meets, softball games and then finally for her to get to work.

It seems that all we ever did was hurry here or there. Now that she is grown, I've slowed down and hurry and wait for an email or call,lol.

Take care
Vickie

[ksgirl]

Vickinat, how did you get your daughter involved in so many things? I can't get mine to do anything!

[vickinat]

ksgirl:
Hold old are your daughters?
Mine began Skating and taking lessons(I forgot to mention that one), after going to a birthday party at the local rink in first grade. Then Brownie girl scouts and that lasted up to Cadet girl scouts(a few years), I ended up becoming one of the leaders.

She got into bowling around age of 7, because I bowled on a few leagues and she always went when I practiced, then she joined a junior league and did well for a few years. She played the flute from 3rd grade till ninth grade, was even in several honor bands, and got a solo part playing the theme from Titanic at age of 13.( another thing I forgot)

She played roller hockey in 8th. grade and was the goalie, while still being in band. She tried out and was accepted into the swim team over the summer between 8th and 9th grade, and kept it up for the school team. She tried out for water-polo in high school and stayed with it untill graduation. She began working at the local Wendy's a week after turning 16 and stayed till graduation.

She took RO classes and advanced placement classes for the last two years of high school and had her Certified Nursing Assistant by the end of high school. She currently works in a hospital and is continuing college to become an RN, then eventually to become a pediatrician. She has 3 babies also, a boy that was 2 in July and twin girls that were 1 in August.

We lived in small town America in Pa, then when she was 12, we moved to CA. and she thrived in the differant locality. We still stuck to towns and not cities. I felt that I had to try and let her do things, I played softball and went to the world series when I was young, I also played classical Viola for 7 years, as well as other things. She was my only child and at times money was very tight, but at least I tried to keep her busy with things she liked, so to keep her away from the wrong type of people.

Sorry for writing a book, I started and didn't stop.
Have a good night.
Vickie

[ksgirl]

Vickie, My girls are 13 & 14 and they don't want to get involved in anything. I wasn't very driven when I was growing up, but my girls are horrible when it comes to getting out and doing anything. I have told them that anything they want to try, I'll support them, but they have no interest. My 14 year old was in band in 5th and 6th grade, choir in 7th, and track in 8th. I told her she needs to be in at least one extracurricular activity and she has decided to stay with track even though she doesn't like it. My 13 year old is sticking with band. She doesn't like band, but she really doesn't want to try anything else.

I think part of their problem is the friends they have. My 14 year old doesn't have the best people as friends. Actually right now she only has one friend because I found out she was sneaking out with all of the other friends. That's a whole other story and would take too long to tell!

My 13 year old is really shy (which I have trouble understanding) and finds it hard to make friends. I just don't have a clue what to do right now. I'm afraid I'm not cut out to be a teenagers mother. Well' I know I am, I am just worried and feeling incompetent right now.

Thanks for listening, you all are always there for me!

[vickinat]

Ksgirl:

Do they like to roller skate or swim? That might help them to meet other teens that they can have some fun with. My daughter also went to a youth (young teens) group at church on Weds. nights, alot of kids from her school went and they did alot of activities. This was to devert their minds from going down the wrong road, and kept them off the streets. She also took a Hip Hop dance class, because she wanted to try it, it was cheap, except for the shoes, and she gained confidance when she learned new routines.

Another route to try is reading and arts and crafts. Is there any clubs at their school that they might want to try?

I don't know if this will help at all, and believe me it wasn't always smooth sailing. You do end up with the terrible teen times as I called them, when they try and see how far they can push you. I tried to nip this in the bud as best as I could. I still felt that it was important for her to express herself, but not when we would end up yelling at each other.

Good Luck, I only had 1 to deal with, you have 2.
Vickie

[jayne]

I had a friend who was a hi school english teacher she said a child should be given to the gypsies at age 12 and not returned till they become human again.....being a teen anymore is so confusing....when I was a teen wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in the stone age you had good girls and bad girls and no in between...nowdays girls are bombarded with so much conflicting information I just dont see how they do it...you gotta be this you gotta be that you gotta have this or your sunk....its so hard I wouldnt want to be a teen now for no amount of money......Maybe ksgirl they are staying at home with you to avoid a problem or group of"friends" at school.
My Becca stayed at home alot didnt mix outside of school...it wasnt till she was grown that she told me about the awful things some kids were doing to her and others after and even during school...she stuck to the teachers at school and me at home...ask them if they are being bullied......if not teach em to cook,sew or whatever Becca is a real friend as well as daughter