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Jul 22 2011

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal – The teen years begin!

The Homeschool Mother

In my life this week…

My son turns 13 this weekend.

I have mixed feelings about being the mother of a teenager.

The sleeping in late, the mood swings, the acne,…oh and did I mention GIRLS???

It’s all speeding my way like a freight train and I’m not sure that I’m ready.

*gulp*

In our homeschool this week…

Our box came this week!  Our big, huge box of shiny new books came in the mail and it made me excited for another year of homeschooling.

3 more weeks of summer left before the big day!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

My whole family is coming over for a big ‘ol birthday party, complete with good food, swimming, and lots and lots of cake and ice cream.

My son is so excited!

(Oh… did I mention that I’m missing the AZ homeschool convention this weekend? – It is such a bummer that my son’s birthday fell on the same date!)

I’m cooking…

BBQ Spareribs for the big birthday feast!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This picture was taken 13 years ago, just an hour after my one and only son was born.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Twenty-five hours of labor, a rough delivery, and then his birthday finally arrived.  – One of the best days of my life for sure!

July 1994

 

Happy Summer,

 

 

 

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Posted in Homeschool Mother's Journal

32 Responses to “The Homeschool Mother’s Journal – The teen years begin!”

  1. Jen says:
    July 21, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    happy birthday to your son

    I have a 15 year old son and it really has been ok

    whenever Ive thought it wasnt because sometimes he gets stubborn Ive been reassured that hes basically a good kid

    pray this will be the same for you

  2. Crisc says:
    July 21, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Happy Birthday to your son (and you) it goes so fast!

  3. Rebecca says:
    July 22, 2011 at 12:58 am

    HI pretty Mama! What a sweet, sweet picture! Argh…teen years….well, I'm sure you've laid a very good, solid foundation with your young man….and all will go well!!! LOVE YA!

  4. Jade =) says:
    July 22, 2011 at 2:12 am

    Aww, happy birthday to your son… and to you! You did all the work, and kept him around for 13-years, you deserve some credit! =) Have a great weekend!

  5. Cranberry Morning says:
    July 22, 2011 at 3:06 am

    Thirteen was the most difficult year with both our oldest son and daughter. But we survived it and the next years were so much easier. Just to give you encouragement. There's something about kids turning 13! :-)

    • Sue says:
      July 22, 2011 at 7:41 am

      LOL – I think "I will survive" will be my new theme song this year! Thanks so much for the encouragement. ;)

  6. Carrie says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:04 am

    I can relate, Sue! My daughter turns 11 in the fall, and I'm already seeing signs. Sigh. Enjoy the family time – it all goes by much too quickly, doesn't it?

  7. gail says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:15 am

    you and i are on the same track: my son will be 13 in 2 months, and we have 3 more weeks of summer before we begin school :) so exciting to receive the curriculum box – looking forward to mine next week! hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration!

  8. Michelle says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:29 am

    Happy Birthday to your son! Mine is now 18, and I remember those days. As I know you and your husband are doing already, keep communicating with him and continue to keep the Lord front and center, Our son NEVER gave us trouble, but there were days when he was moody or talked back (not often, bu there were those trying days). It's neat when they start to find their true interests, give opinions on politics, and grow taller than you (that was one of the hardest things for me). I'm going to check out that recipe. I have never cooked spare ribs and my husband loves them. Have a wonderful celebration!

    • Sue says:
      July 22, 2011 at 7:33 am

      Such great advice, Michelle. Thank you so much!

      Oh & I hope that you enjoy my rib recipe as much as I do. It is super easy and super yummy. – A winning combination!!! ;)

  9. Rachel T. says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:39 am

    Wow! I am glad that I still have two and a half years until my oldest turns 13, but he started calling himself a "pre-teen" the day he turned 10! I hope you have a great birthday celebration this weekend! It would be hard to miss the state conference. I love box day and I feel like I had "box day" on Wednesday when I bought all of our CC books at my practicum. I am getting really excited now, too!

    • Sue says:
      July 22, 2011 at 7:37 am

      I am so excited to be starting CC this year, but I still have attended a practicum yet. Hopefully I'll make it to the next one! ;)

      Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!

  10. Becca says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:52 am

    My boy is now 15YO and it has been a bit of a ride since he turned 13! I am thankful GIRLS have not entered the picture. I wasn't sure I was ready to be the mother of a teenager either, but it happened anyway! :D

  11. Cheryl says:
    July 22, 2011 at 5:16 am

    Happy Birthday to your son. It's great to be back journaling with you after a bit of a break. We are hitting the books again after only one more week.

    • Sue says:
      July 22, 2011 at 7:39 am

      I'm so glad that you're joining me again, Cheryl. I hope that you have a wonderful homeschool year this year! ;)

  12. Mary says:
    July 22, 2011 at 6:12 am

    Teenagers are fun! Happy Birthday to your son.

  13. Ingi says:
    July 22, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    How exciting – new curriculum and a teenager! Happy birthday to your son. As a (former) high school teacher (HS in Oz goes from 12yrs to 18 yrs), I can reassure you that most of the teenagers I taught were pretty good kids – and some of them were fabulous kids. Just remember, he will still be your son under all that bravado! And never show your fear….

  14. Jessy says:
    July 22, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Hi Sue! Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Happy birthday to your son! My oldest turns 13 in February (and my daughter will be 10). It's going to seem SO strange! A teenager AND 2 in double digits!

  15. Debbie @ Debbie&#039 says:
    July 22, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    can you please delete my link so I can put it in again… something happened with the image I chose and it is not showing up. #26

    Congrats on joining the crew of mom's with teenagers. I love my teenagers and they are mostly :-) a blessing to our lives. My baby is now 14 and my oldest is 25 and it seems like such a short time ago they were babies… time flies.

  16. Michelle says:
    July 22, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    Congrats on becoming the mom of a teen! Alexis turned 13 on July 4th. But ..ya know… she's my 4th child and I have 3 adult children..so I'm pretty accustomed to that whole growing up thing. It's just a terrible habit they ALL possess! :-)

  17. Melissa says:
    July 23, 2011 at 4:45 am

    My son turned 13 in April – I am so there with you!

  18. Cheri C says:
    July 23, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Happy Birthday to your son! I have a 15 year old boy and 13 year old girl. I have LOVED the teen years! I posted a link to a blog I posted recently about my views on the teen years :-)

  19. Denise says:
    July 23, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Welcome to the homeschooling your teen club! We're a unique group and all living through it, while none of us are old enough. :) I was a teen-phobic for both of my daughters but I have loved it, even the storms. They are 14 and 15, so I'm relatively new. The good far outweighs the negative and it is so great to relate to them as potential adults, training them for the ongoing process of when they leave. Incorporating life lessons is an ongoing thing and uses the craziness of all of it to teach us in so many areas. Enjoy the ride. You're not alone, and it flies by for all of us; too fast.

  20. Heather says:
    July 24, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Happy birthday to your son! And good luck to you!