Teenagers Aren't So Bad

Having teens is such a joy.

I agree with the linked post above wholeheartedly. I have two teens and one just past the teen years. My two boys are great to be around. They are learning so much- not necessarily what the school system says they should learn right now, but what they are interested in learning. Sure, they are doing algebra and English, but my older son who is almost 17, is enjoying recording music. He has bought several software programs for recording, as well as microphones and other paraphernalia that has allowed him to record himself and just had his first paid job as a sound engineer. The beds in his bedroom are incidental amongst all the recording and musical equipment.

The younger son's bed basically becomes a Murphy bed when recording and music practice is going on. He is very flexible about that. Fortunately, my kids are Murphys on their father's side, so it works out well. My younger son is 15 and is taking an art class from a world-renowned artist who converted a barn into a studio. He goes to the class and draws while the teacher points out different techniques and other arty things that I have no clue about because I have no artistic ability whatsoever. The teacher lives off a dirt road - great fun driving there in our Camry that is a low-rider by default, not be design- and one of the students will ride her horse to class. How cool is that!

My daughter is 20, and she has gotten an A.A. degree and is working towards a Bachelor's. She works part-time and lives at home. It is such a joy to spend time with her. All of the kids have a great sense of humor thanks to their dad and I and a wonderful heritage of funny people. They each have a relationship with the Lord and walk it out in their own way. Each is an individual called according to a purpose, and it is my husband's and my job to point them in the right direction. What an awesome (in the true sense of the word) privilege.

All three of them will have ideas that I will immediately see the negatives of, or the inconvenience and impossibility of, and then they and my husband will persuade me to not be quite so reactionary and negative. Once again, pretty much every time, I find that when I step out, it works out well and better than I thought. My children are such a blessing to me. Love them all!