Quaran-”teening”
Somedays it feels like I am on house arrest with a mad scientist who hates me. Trapped with a teenage daughter 24/7 in close quarters gave us time for quality time together to play games, watch chick flicks and start a craft project. Did that happen? No. It’s never that easy!
Luckily my daughter with her brilliant scientific mind brimming with curiosity, so much like Blaze, started a few hobbies that have kept her very busy when she isn’t saying snarky stuff to me or binge-watching Tiger King. She composts with night crawlers, started a Red Worm Kingdom, propagated succulent plants and took up dog grooming. Even though her worm friends are something that make me cringe – they have given her endless enjoyment and opportunities for learning that classroom time can’t give her. She proudly talks about her thousands of red wriggling worms and spends hours outside every day exploring and experimenting with them. I ordered an organic garden kit from Amazon and we will have a joint project soon where we use her compost and worms.
“Quaran-teening” does not have to be a constant search for a crumb free, non-judgmental seat in your own home. Encourage your budding scientist, or musician or cook to do something deep in their areas of interest. Offer your assistance or funding, sidewalk chalk or whatever you must to give their imaginations fuel. Then practice gratitude when you have a dog that looks adorable with her new hairstyle or a new succulent garden. And try not to scream when your teen tells you that the adorable dog may have buried a worm in your unmade bed, or you find potting soil all over your patio furniture.
There are reasons to scream, but a thousand more to laugh and smile with her. I try to remember that. I love seeing her little face, so much like Blaze’s full of wonder and excitement. It’s a gift that I am finally ready to receive.
#Blazeitforward #practicegratitude #gratitude #positivity #redworms #composting #positivethinking #positivepsychology #organicgardening #projectsforkids #kidprojects #quarantinestories #quarantine #fightboredom #teenagers #teens #parenting #parents #parentsofteens #parentofteen #grief #onedayatatime #inspiring #inspire #motivation