I have been ill since Sunday night, along with the two little ones. In fact B4 is now on antibiotics for a nasty ear infection. I have muddled through school each day in a haze of fever and a very sore throat. We have pretty much managed to do (almost) everything on that list of mine. The reason? My teens. Once more I feel so blessed to have these incredibly giving teens in my life.
Every morning they have completed chores without me asking, one of them sitting with whichever little needed them the most. They brought me a hot drink if I was still in bed and neurofen to knock the temperature on its head. They were gentle with the little ones, understanding they were fragile. They began maths, taking it in turns to help one of the younger ones either do a maths lesson or play a maths game on their computer. As my mouth and throat was too sore for too much talking, the morning meeting was organised by the older three, each taking a section to lead:
Monday night, B4 had spent the night in bed with me crying and screaming her way through the night. Even when asleep she was screaming and holding her ear in pain. When the girls woke the next morning and heard what had gone on, they demanded to know why they hadn’t been woken to help! They ordered me back to bed whilst they took care of everything and everyone else.
Each lunchtime, one of my teens cooked our usual baked potatoes, cheese and made a huge vegetable salad, ensuring everyone got lots of vitamins. They helped feed our youngest, coaxing her when she didn’t feel like eating. At the little ones’ bedtime, one or other of the teens read to them, without me even having to ask them.
I don’t write these posts so everyone will know what wonderful teens I have. No, I write these posts so that MY teens know just how much I appreciate them. Life isn’t always easy when you are a teen. Wise decisions are not always made in the heat of the moment. It is easy sometimes to let the hormones win and take over. My older three children are not perfect. They do not always get it right. But they are good children. They are thoughtful. They are helpful. They are willing to learn when they get it wrong. And I want them to know just how much I appreciate those qualities I see developing in them, and how proud I am of the man and women they are becoming.
Guys, thank you so much for all your help and love over this past week. You have made a potentially hard week, relatively painless and surprisingly productive.
<3 I love you all to the moon and back <3
Other posts about teens on my blog:
You’re indeed blessed with wonderful teens, Claire. It’s not always that parents have such helpful and thoughtful children, so it’s very heartwarming to see.
Poor B4! Ear infections are horrible! Wish her speedy recovery!
Thank you Hwee. She is much better now 😀
Claire,
you have wonderful children, and your hard work and training is showing. You should be proud of them! I love this post as a mom of teens because I hear so much bad comments, “Just wait until the teen years” etc. It is really nice to read encouraging words once and while. So thank you so much for sharing.
I hope you are feeling better soon and your little one too. Ear infections are terrible to endure.
Ps. I answered you rather in a long message on your question, Hope that is ok 🙂
Thank you. I read it, it was very helpful. You are doing a fab job!
Claire, I hope you and B are feeling much better. You are blessed to have such caring, helpful, and thoughtful children because you are reaping the rewards of being such a caring, helpful, and thoughtful mother. You have set the example and they have chosen to follow you, and Gary, I’m sure. Count your blessings, my friend. Hugs for a speedy recovery and prayers that no one else gets sick.
Thank you Donna. We were blessed because no one else became ill. I’m thinking I only did because I kept licking their medicine spoon after giving them medicine 🙂
Oh, no.:(
You are reaping your harvest! I fretted over my daughters growing into teens, but truly they were a pleasant reward. I’m so sorry that you are sick and will be praying for your health to be restored.
It is not always sweetness and light, but I have to say most of the time it is. The teen age has been a pleasant surprise for us also.
Teens are nothing like I thought they would be. I am loving Keilee being a teen, although in truth I wish she was six. Your teens sound AWESOME Claire.
Thank you Karen. Your teen sounds awesome too 😀
Hope you’re all on the mend very soon, Claire. Lovely that your sweet teens are ever helpful, ever loving to their dear siblings, and cherished mama.
We are all better and ready for a week of hard work…..
I needed to read this today as my near teens were driving me up the wall today.
I can’t think how old your’s are? I hadn’t realised they were near teens. Worry not, it’s waaaaaay easier than people would have you think 🙂
I hope everyone is feeling much better by now. Teens are such fun and it’s wonderful to watch them grow in maturity. Your teens are wonderful 🙂
Everyone is doing well once more. We are all ready for a week full of work (which will be followed by a week off which we all can not wait for!)
I’m glad to hear you’re all feeling better Claire- this was an encouraging post for me 🙂