Motherhood and Raising Teenage Sons.
We live right by our son’s high school. He started 9th grade back in September, and I’m still in shock. He walked to school the first day, and I worried about him the whole day.
What can I say. I know he is a 6 foot 1 inch man-boy, with a deep voice, and footsteps that sound exactly like his father’s. But, I still see him like this.
http://instagram.com/p/bPI6sOTZIS/
I mean.. how is this little boy supposed to survive high school? All.by.himself.
In reality, he is closer to this.
So.. when I drive by, which is almost daily, I pray.
And I resist doing what I really want to do.
Which is to find a parking spot. Sneak to his current class, after signing in at the office, because, of course, RULES. Peek in the window, and hope he won’t see me.
In preschool, the window peek was to check and make sure he wasn’t crying for me, or eating the play dough.
In high school, it’s more like.. STAY AWAY FROM GIRLS WITHOUT CLOTHING*! AND, SAY NO TO DRUGS, SON!
If I did go to his class, I would definitely speak my warnings with a jaunty little wave, so he would know I am light hearted and fun! But also very much against Girls Without Clothing*, and Drugs. Yes, in that order. Yes, from the window.
I wouldn’t go in the class.. I mean, that would embarrass him.
But just as eating an entire bag of Doritos isn’t the best choice for me, so is not visiting my man-boy while he is learning to become a man. I can certainly choose to eat the Doritos, or visit/spy on my son. But just because I have the permission to, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. For him, or me.
You know that whole permissible, but not beneficial thing. Or, another word for it…boundaries.
So, I pray whenever I pass by because, other than teach him at home, and trust that we have ingrained something into his brain… I know he has to figure out what to stay away from, and what to embrace.
And I can only face plant and pray like a maniac that he will not embrace any of the aforementioned Girls Without Clothing.*
And Drugs.
Ah, motherhood. Fun, eh?
*Girls Without Clothing is a group just like Doctors Without Borders, but way less helpful, and way less philanthropic, and way more naked.