It's not a secret.
Life with teens is not my favorite season of parenthood. Despite the fact that my teens are kind and empathetic and, for the most part, good young people...parenting teenagers is hard. Like, really hard.
To be honest, I don't think it's easy being a teen in this day and age, either.
Last night I was organizing some files in my office and four teens come into the house (three of whom are not of my own creation) and I just listen...
"OMG I need to use the bathroom."
"Hurry up, I'm next!"
"Oooooh, strawberries! Can I have some?"
...and I smile.
Next, all four of them run into my office. One gives me kisses and the other three say "Hi Mom!" while one hands me a teddy bear to snuggle (that's a whole other story).
Then they're gone. Off to the basement to play video games or Foosball. I can hear them laughing and carrying on through the floor.
...and I smile.
As difficult as it is to live with teens and as much as I dislike so much of teenagehood--the pressure, the attitude, the hormones, the opinions, the pushing of boundaries, the attitude should be mentioned twice--there is joy.
Some days I have to look really hard, but it's there.
When a gaggle of near fully grown humans arrive feeling welcome to the facilities, the snacks, the space and, most importantly, feeling welcome to relax and just be themselves...
I'm happy to be The Place.
