Excerpt from Chapter 3 of Whatever! A baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age...
It's interesting that my mom and I were the same age when we became parents. That means were also middle-aged women when our adoring daughters went from being cute, sweet little girls to teenagers from the dark side!
My mother once told me that raising a child would be the hardest thing I would ever do in life. harder than childbirth, she insisted, because "once they're here, the pain never seems to end!" She said I would experience some of my greatest joys and sorrows.
Lord, was she ever right! Actually, my teenage daughter is one of the main reasons my prayer life is so strong today. I'm constantly asking God to get me through the turbulent times and to remind her of the fifth commandment, especially when she loses her mind and forgets who's the mother and who's the child. I also pray for guidance because sometimes I question my parenting skills.
I wonder how often my mom prayed to God on my behalf? How many tears did she shed? Did she ever lie awake at night calling on the Lord to direcr her path in raising me? The only thing I do remember is she used to call on Jesus to give her strength just as she was about to whip my behind.
One of the main difference in our parental roles was the fact that my middle-aged mom had help from a husband who was an active part of his daughter's life. He played an even bigger role during the tumultous years between his menopausal wife and defiant teen. After his death, my mom told me how often the man she loved saved her from going off the deep end while trying to deal with me. I guess my dad spent a lot of time rescuing both of us from each other. Thank God!
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Reviewed by Elizabeth Anon
7/7/2006
Thank you Beverly. You have an easy to read style. I checked out your website last night and left a message in the guest book. Keep up the good work!
