This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. All opinions (and memories!) are my own.
THEN
Watching you so innocently playing with your Hot Wheels car for hour and hours at a time. Racing them through the house, building tracks and loops while using your Daddy’s back as a race course. I recall the days that you were upset when it was time for bed because all you wanted to do was play for a little while longer. How you looked so sad as I asked you to clean up your play area and told you that you could resume your imaginary play the next day. How could you love collecting and playing with your Hot Wheels so much? Why did they bring you so much joy as a little kid?
NOW
I watch you as you read your learners permit book. How has my son with the active imagination grown into the amazing young man who I see standing before me. I often watch you mesmerized by the bright, intelligent and witty young man who you have grown into over the years. How I love to stand afar and watch you as you complete your JROTC drills after school. How dedicated you are to learning every aspect and rule of the JROTC. How you carefully do your about fast command and how in a few months you will be driving an actual car just as you had pretended with your Hot Wheels cars when you were younger. How I feel when I hear you in the family room enjoying an online video game battle with your virtual friends from all over the world. I love how you’ve blossomed into a social butterfly and make everyone around you feel loved.
All kids eventually grow up. This video made brings me so much joy:
As parents we must feel comfortable communicating and understanding our teens. Special Thanks to The Center for Parent and Teen Communication there is a new, valuable resource for every parent navigating the teen years. You can get a taste for the type of advice you’ll find with this post from the director, Dr. Ginsburg.
What are a few profound memories from your child childhood? How these memories affected him/her in their teenage years?