I have a newly spry and happy go lucky 14-year-old daughter. She is in full-blown teenager mode and I find myself in the thick of this obscure awkward phase of our relationship. Parenting along side of the teenage GIRL is an odd slippery slope and sometimes a really fun precious place to be.
My baby girl is highly social and has a ton of friends. She does very well in school and kills it on the athletic front! Thankfully, she’s coordinated and I give all the athletic genetic kudos to Mr. Chicken Fry. I only look athletic.
Do any of you out there think she’s interested in being trained by her MOTHER? Absolutely not! She could care less about working out under my instruction.
I explained that I was only going out to walk the dog and not to pound the pavement. For a second I delighted in the thought we would tie our tennis shoes and walk together and chit chat like girlfriends. I pictured us laughing and bonding over girly girl stuff. I even projected that this might become like a regular thing between us. I went as far to envision her asking me to join her for long walks while she confides in me and asks for advice. I saw tears of joy, laughter, maybe hugging, praying and a wee bit of hand holding, You know, just like in the commercials.
Oh Lord, help me now. Turnt down by my teen! Baby girl gave me just about every nice excuse under the sun. I’m too sore, I’m tired, I just want to lay here and watch Grey’s Anatomy! I’m good, no thanks, I really just want to rest. It’s too hot outside right now, I’m hungry, I really comfy in the bean bag.
What the heck just happened? Really? I could feel rejection swelling up inside my chest. Come on, I remember what it was like and it’s totally understandable she wants to be with her friends instead of her “uncool” trainer mom. But just because it’s normal doesn’t mean it’s not weird and tragically sad.
The truth is, if she wanted to stay home all the time and was clingy all up in my business I would be miserable. I would probably take her to the doctor because something would have to be askew for a teenager to willingly hang out or heaven forbid walk around the block with their mom! RIGHT??
The upside of this little episode in teenager ville was that she traded the static fetal position for fellowship, sunlight and exercise!
AWHH the joys of raising teens!
Love, peace and tell only your best friends please!
Angi xo
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s workout video post! It’s KamaKAZZIE good!