Monday, March 31, 2008

Parenting 101

"Well you know it isn't a first kiss if it lands on the cheek." "It's only a kiss if it's on the lips." How do we go from "mommy what color is that?" to the ins and outs of a first kiss. These are the conversations I am hearing and being a part of with my soon to be teenage daughter. Time has somehow morphed into warp speed and my once innocent little girl is contemplating her first kiss. How does a parent learn to make it through each day of monumental changes that happens to a teenager. We are considering getting a drug dog next, just in case. There is no amount of books to read or classes to take to prepare you for the ever evolving life of parenting. We go into it essentially blind, hoping not to totally screw them up. Begging God to watch over them when we cannot be there and praying that we are doing it right.


this was inspired by this weeks read, write, poem prompt, in listening to conversations and writing in the form of prose. i haven't been out much, so all i have to go on is my daughter and her friends conversations.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Leah! I love the subject of your piece--I especially like that first snippet of conversation you shared. Thanks for participating at RWP!

paisley said...

just remember what you were really like at her age... and then remember the girls you wanted to be... she will fall in that same category... scary as that may be.....

Anonymous said...

@paisley-i completely agree with u...this is a phase we all have been through...then y not share our experience with our children n guide them well
Happy Parenting!!!
goodparenting.co.in

Crafty Green Poet said...

Very engaging

Anonymous said...

Kids grow up so fast!

last journey

rebecca said...

oh, i've been there, done that...my hatchling is now 29. i remember while she was in her teens asking my older sister for advice. to which she responded without missing a beat: stay drunk until she's 21. :)

seriously, you will do fine. remember that regardless of the buttons they will now push or how much they fight for certain rights, they all need and want boundaries. it makes it much easier for them.

best,
rebecca

Anonymous said...

It's sad that a girl's first kiss leads to considering a drug dog. such is the worry of a parent. Great stream of consciuness, very honest and open.

Anonymous said...

tell them i think the first kiss has to have some tongue...

thanks for making me contemplate this!

ps love the holga pics