We have been having some amazing talks and much more about boys, friends, feelings than homework. She has made some poor decisions and has dealt with the natural consequences. I did take her phone for lying and sneaking but mostly because she is so distracted by the texts and drama from all these boys that are crazy about her. Her grades are poor for the first time in her life.
But the more we talk, the more she opens up, and we are on the same page. She is a special girl. Thanks for the advice Kuya, and I don't ask unless I really want it so I appreciate it!
What I have found is once I remember how nuts I was at that time, how I mooned over boys constantly and fantasised endlessly I have far more sympathy.
We have to set boundaries for their safety, they have to have consequences ( my daughter had to get up early and do the dishes that she 'forgot' last night) and lying is punishable by my quite severe expression of betrayal and hurt. Having said that I think they lie less when they really understand it is because you care rather than are trying to control.
I have a deal that as long as the grades are OK I mind my business, if they fall I set a timetable.......she hates to have her time organised by me and makes sure this doesn't happen. This time last year I spent two weeks of my spare time doing algebra with her.....she had just changed schools and was behind. The fact I would suffer algebra WITH her ( it was PAINFUL!) meant a lot to her. She went from 45% to 89% in test results and now loves math, whereas a year ago it was her least favourite subject.
I read a long time ago that when we love a thing or a person we spend a lot of time with it/them. E.g. A teenage boy and his first car, tinkering with and cleaning it.
It is so hard as working mothers to find the energy to give our children the time their psyche needs to feel cared for. The damage of 'women's liberation' to our children is incalculable IMO. Most of us women now work because we HAVE to, not WANT to. Big business benefits and our families suffer.
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