MOM TO MOM
A MOM’ S VIEW OF ADOLESCENCE
The lateDavid Bowie couldn’ t have been more rightwhen he said,“ Turn and face the strange changes.” Idon’ t think any parent is truly prepared for the impossible years – adolescence. The teen years in my household were very
“ interesting,” with triplet daughters who always experienced everything in stereo. There were plenty of histrionics over thoseyears – yellingand screaming and slamming of doors, but in some ways, my“ girls” didn’ t seem to change that much, at least not to me.
Ihad aconversation recently with aboy I’ d known since he was ababy. It seemslike yesterday that Iwent to his christening, but now he is ahigh school sophomore. His family moved out of the neighborhood two years ago and now that my kids are in college, Idon’ t see the high school kids as much anymore. Iforget what happens.
The boy-turned-teen called me the other night about aproject and Iwas stunned when Iheard his voice. He wasn’ t alittle boy anymore. His voice had changed and Iwas truly taken aback.
Ihave girls, so Iguess Inever really dealt with the whole voice change thing first hand. My nephew is going through puberty now and I’ ve seen the signs, but his voice hasn’ t dropped yet. I’ ll bet that will freak my sister out when it happens.
The impossible years are like ablur to me as Iwatch my children proceed with their college educations. Forgotten are the memoriesofthe“ you don’ t know anything, mom” moments and the day-to-daystress of that era. Those growing pains years have melted away and now my daughters seem to think Iknow awhole heck of alot. And their dad knows some stuff too!
Adolescence is one of the most significant rites of passage for afamily. There is turbulence and tumult – everything seems off balance. Horrible things are said as children search to find their pathtoadulthood. It’ s all part of the process of growing up and finding their individuality and their place in the world. When you come out on the other side, itisatfirst arelief and then awonder.
If you’ regoing through these changes in your family just hold on to your seat and ride it out.
“ Changes are taking thepace I’ m going through …” ● – AMELIA DUGGAN
AP / KATHY WILLENS
48 APRIL / MAY 2017 |( 201) FAMILY