The Last Year Of High School

The last year of high school for my daughter has just begun....all seems well. I have noticed a large difference in my teen. Nothing bad, but just annoying. I suppose it's supposed to be that way, because they are at the age of trying to assert themselves as upcoming adults into this world. Scary, but true.
No more ex-boyfriend this year because she has decided not to go back with him, and it hurts her just as much as him, but this is the last year of school.....a time to get her head on right about what her future brings; college, direction in life,and  enjoying her friends before all the adulthood things come along like the rent and electricity bills.
She has just gotten a new job, which is very much directed in the field that she wants(vet) and things are looking good. Next year she will be going off to college and I am starting to worry about it now.  I need to look into scholarships and grants to help her out some. And we have a beautiful horse that will be going where she goes...Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday My Darling Teen

Today is my daughter's 17th birthday, and I feel like time is racing by quickly. Not only do I feel old, but since she is my last of 5, this only reminds me that next year at this time, she will be an adult, ready to do adult things. I hope and pray that I have been able to teach her all that she needs to know to be able to survive as an adult.... she knows how to cook, wash her own laundry, clean, work and be responsible, and take care of her money. This sounds like alot to know for a teen, but she is learning things now so that when she gets out on her own, she will know how to get by with some of the most important things in life. She only has one more week of freedom left before her senior year of high school starts.
Today she has shown me that she is more grown up than I think she is, and soon, I will have to be able to cut the apron strings, but honestly, I don't think that parents EVER cut the string completely. They let their children spread their wings in life, but we are always there to help them when they need us most. Happy Birthday my darling daughter ! I am so proud of you!

Teens and Dating

My darling teen had been going with a guy for a couple of years, and I thought back to my teen years and remembered how I had not gone with anyone for much of a length in time, but my daughter had spent the last nearly 3 years with this one particular guy. He is nice, and I really like him alot, but after seeing her crying time after time again, I didn't know how long she was going to keep going through it, and I reminded her that she is only a teen with many years of dealing with boyfriends and men, and as with most of us, time wears upon us when things are bad, and then one day, we wake up and do something about it.well.... she broke it off at the end of school and it's been hard. Hard on her, hard on him, and hard on me as well, having to hear it all. I am a good listener, and I had to be there for her.
During the summer, my daughter has developed new friends, but has not gone out with anyone else. Most of her friends are guys, because she doesn't like all the drama with the girls, but she DOES have some close friends as girls as well. School's about to be back in session, and my daughter is going to be a senior this year. She said that she just wants to take it easy and enjoy this last year without having a steady guy, or someone to tell her what she can and can't do. I feel so sad for her past guy, but I do understand how she feels. Hopefully this year will bring her alot of joy, especially with this being the last year.

Responsibility For Being At Work On Time

My daughter walked out of here this morning, madder than a wet hen, and I feel bad for her but I am trying to teach her some responsibility. She was scheduled to be at work by 7 am....well, she worked yesterday too and then went out for an extensive lunch with her friend, got home and went back into work (she worked a split shift). This morning, she's not up at the normal time and asked me if she could just stay at home. I was not happy because she has pulled this number a several other times, leaving her job with a loss of worker. They don't like it, and I don't either. Her job is not a big conglomerate that can just call in the next guy. I made her get up and go. She wasn't happy with me and before she left, I asked her if she was mad, knowing I would get a yes. She told me that her back was hurting. I told her that she cannot just stay home when she wants to. The lifeguarding job is MUCH easier than her other job and she was okay with going to that one today. Although she has 2 part-time jobs, she rarely works more than 20 hours a week for the both of them together. I made her go this morning because I want her to learn that others are relying on her being there. I told her that after she goes, if she STILL doesn't feel good, to let her boss know and THEY can send her home, if need be. At least she has shown the responsibility of getting there on time. Seriously, I feel bad for her back hurting some, but she HAS to learn responsibility. Was I being too hard on her?