April 16, 2022

Quote of the Week

"Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded." --Jess Lair

Watching Teens Unfold

This week we are happy to share this beautiful poem about parenting teens:

"I am watching my teens with awe as they unfold. I notice my urge to mold, and I choose differently. Instead I access curiosity. I wonder why she chose that outfit, does it say something she wants to express? He doesn't seem to love math anymore, I wonder what direction he will head instead? She doesn't have as much passion for soccer these days, I wonder what her next "thing" will be? I wonder why he loves this song, and how it speaks to him?

Take a step back...they are unfolding as they were intended to. This is a painting that doesn't require you to put an ounce of paint on the canvas. It's all their paint. Their vision. Their dreams and ideas. You can and should contribute guidance for the painting. Lessons learned. Good questions. Foresight. But the painting is for them to paint. Occasionally they may need to erase the whole damn thing and start over. That's okay.....they still don't need your paint.

They need your love. Your unconditional belief. Your support. Notice the urge to paint on their canvas, and instead ask questions about the picture THEY are creating. Breathe and believe. They've got this. Trust the job you have done thus far and lean into your new job.

Your new job is to have the paint ready at a moment's notice. To supply every color of paint you can. To be a leader by modeling not by instructing. To have your own life and your own interests. To never, ever stop believing that the painting will be finished one day.....and it will be the best damn painting you've ever seen. To be present without being needy. To be loving without creating guilt. To be THERE without being so THERE! Nobody said it was easy.....and it's the best job you will ever have the privilege of creating."

#mindfulparenting #getgrounded

Reading Corner

Title: The Five Love Languages of Teenagers
By: Gary Chapman
Ages: Adult

In this adaptation of the #1 New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman explores the world in which teenagers live, explains their developmental changes, and gives tools to help you identify and appropriately communicate in your teen's love language. 
--Publishers

Be the Change

Reflect on this week's poem and how you can ask questions about the canvas that your teen is painting.