I'm unsure if all teenagers are like this, but mine throws temper tantrums. "Terrible Two" style temper tantrums. I can't predict them, and I've quit trying to talk her down from them. Imagine if a hurricane or a tornado would roll across a mine field. Riding it out is not an option. When it happens, the best approach is to duck and cover. As a result, I've been taking lots of long baths lately. Which, isn't a bad way to go.
One of the things I like to do in the bath is read. I do need to put a CD player or something in the bathroom to drown out the sounds. But, reading does help me escape. However, many of my books are on an electronic device these days, and I don't trust myself with those in the tub. The newspaper is too big and the ink gets everywhere. So, I've started to print up stories or reports that I've been meaning to read and keep them in a stack by the tub. Not the greenest way to go, but we're talking about my mental health, and when it comes to this family, nothing is more important.
Helping me with my quest for sanity is the simple fact that the teen has left the nest. She'll be gone for a week. What to do during this blissfully peaceful time? Clean and get organized, of course! I do this every summer because I can't throw anything away when they're here. "Why would you get rid of THAT?" Undaunted, I remain, and I look forward to my opportunities to spend some quality time with a big bag labeled, "GOODWILL."
It also helps me remember the good old days. Today, I found a spiral notebook that contained minutes from meetings she would conduct with her brother and the two cats when they were younger. I can't imagine what or who inspired her to take minutes. That notebook is going in the tub stack. I also found some old photos and all of her girl scout awards, along with a "sit upon" or two. There was a pillow she made at a sleepover when she was 8. And, a "High School Musical" calendar. On it, she had written, "Watch DWTS with mom."
I remember we started watching Dancing With the Stars because one of the "Cheetah Girls" was a contestant. She was eliminated early in the competition, but we kept watching. We would DVR the show so we could watch after homework was over but we would try and watch before it would finish airing on the west coast, so we could still vote for our favorites. It helped that we could also zip through the commercials.
Remembering that time has made me feel better about our relationship. I hope we can get back to those days of shared simple experiences. We fell out of love with DTWS, for a while we moved over to "Glee" but now she watches mostly old TV on her computer in her room by herself. I can interest her in an occasional shopping trip. Last time I offered, she told me "I don't need anything." However, there is more room in her closet now, so maybe....
