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The Sweet Spot
My friends keep telling me that my husband and I are at the point in our lives known as the “sweet spot.” With three children ages 12, 6, and 5, we are apparently in parenting bliss—we have no babies in diapers and no teenagers.
However, while I will agree that this is a fun and exciting time, it definitely has its own unique set of challenges. I may not have a teenager, but I do have a tween: a full-blown teenager-in-training. Other parents with tweens understand the difficulties I am talking about. Many of these children are already going through puberty. They are technology savvy, having grown up in the age of smartphones and computers, and many companies are marketing their products directly to them.
In fact, even my youngest who is only 5 is already on board the digital media bandwagon. He is officially out of diapers, in all-day school, and ready to take on the world—via my iPhone. I found him the other day sitting in our family room with my cell phone, nonchalantly downloading games from Yahoo.
Thanks to advances in technology, children today are growing up faster than ever before, and in many cases, they know more than their parents ever will about this digital age. So while I am certainly enjoying this period in my life, if this truly is the sweet spot, I have a feeling it will not be lasting long.
Comments on this Entry
Having raised 5 teenagers and lived to see them all married and on their way in the world, I believe every age is the sweet spot. The best advise I can give on raising teens is to figure out a natural time to talk to them. Seeking them out for a planned sit-down talk only creates tension. But realizing that one child is chatty in the morning, so you get up early to be with them, make their favorite muffins and just be there - will work the best. Another child interested in sports? Take advantage of the time when driving to and fro to talk to them alone, away from the computer and the Wii and their siblings. It is still simple; quality time, combined with a quantity of your time, works as it always did.
By Kathy on 2010 05 20
The really sweet spot is when the kids are grown and gone. Grandchildren really are the best. And when they go home, if you are lucky, you sit with your best friend and enjoy the quiet comfort of peace and quiet.
By KB on 2010 06 24
