THAT SHIP HAS SAILED!
Parents, do you catch yourself thinking, “Oh, those were the days,” picturing your teen as an adorable tiny tot waiting for Santa? Hate to break it to you, but that ship has sailed!
Or are you a dreamer of future holidays where your teens replicate your Herculean holiday efforts? That ship is not in the harbor yet, so save your emotional energy.
You’re missing the best part – the gift of right NOW!
STORY TIME
We tend to forget the effort and patience our littles needed at Christmas, much like moms forget the pain of childbirth (sort of). Let me remind you of the chaos …
I asked, “Hey boys, want to help me with the lights? Axel, age 5, sprints to grab the lights. While he yanks the other end of the cord of the multicolored lights from Jake, age 3, Jake dives for the fumble, stepping barefoot on a glass bulb.
CUE the CHAOS:
- A bloody carpet
- A failed light show.
- By 11pm we were caroling all the way to Urgent Care.
- Jake had pneumonia!
Clearly, the nostalgia of little ones is not all gumdrops and glitter!
STOP DWELLING!
Instead of dwelling on the past, embrace your teens NOW!
Things to do with your teens NOW this holiday season!
- Get outside together
- Let teens create a new tradition
- Have late night talks over hot cocoa
- Create handwritten Christmas cards
- Go shopping and grab lunch together
- Be a secret Santa for the elderly neighbors
- Embrace the spirit of giving back to the community
- Watch movies teens will love (Die Hard, anyone?)
Moral to the story:
Stop trying to make life look like a Hallmark movie —your teens couldn’t care less!
- Soak in their laughter,
- Enjoy epic debates over movie night snacks,
- Drink in the magic of marshmallow-filled hot cocoa chats.
- Realize that chaos isn’t the enemy; it’s just another name for tradition.
- One day, these will be nostalgic memories.
Your teen is your present – so be present.
Put down your phone & close Pinterest,
Spend some time with your teen – NOW
This ship sails soon, and nostalgia takes over again.
DON’T BLINK
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,
Much love,
Conni, Founder of Simple Teen Life
- The pics are my kids as littles on the day the light grabbing story came to life and as teens 12 years later.
