Mindful Living

I got the pleasure to spend time this past weekend (at our cabin) with some of my nephews (and two of my children), who are all mainly teens, and what a fun experience! We sat around the campfire, talking about our first kisses, and everyone participated. I have to say my sister's answer to that question was quite interesting! We also talked extensively about drugs and let's just say, they are exposed to a lot. Way more than I ever was as a teen, and it's so much more available. I am proud of how they are all making their way through those teen years, with challenges I never had to face. But they are making THEIR way through. My sisters and I raised our children together, and that has been a huge blessing. The support we get from each other in the parenting department is invaluable. And I know they love my kids and want what's best for them. There was a lot of testostorone flowing this weekend- wrestling and seeing who was stronger. I wonder if they will ever outgrow...

My teenage children accuse me of being too nosy when I ask them questions about their lives. My adult child doesn’t consider it nosy anymore, and he says that he likes that I am so interested in his life. Part of my question asking is a way to relieve my anxiety of not knowing what is going on in their lives. I worry about them mainly if they are happy, but also that they are making healthy choices. The conversations I have with my children I never had with my parents. We talk about sex, drugs, death, politics and dating. What I am surprised with is how many kids use marijuana today- it seems to be everywhere. I don’t remember it being that common when I was in high school. The drinking and sexual activity seems to be about the same from when I was a teen. Hearing about their lives scares me but also makes me see how much they deal with and are exposed to- the Internet has opened up more information than anything I have seen/heard as an adult and they are having to integrate that infor...