Pre-Teen/Teenager: Homeschooling & Life + 10 Things to Expect

Do you have little ones at home? Babies? Guess what? They are going to grow up and there is NOTHING you can do about it!

One day you are sitting there all snuggly and cozy with your little one and the next they are looking down at you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

But I also promise it is not as bad as everyone says it is.

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Today I am going to let you in on what my life is like with Pre-Teen and a Teenager in the house!

Oh don’t run away, it’s going to be okay! Maybe…

In talking with a reader, she was asking me to share what life is like with teens. So here it is and inside peek:

Welcome to my CRAZY life!

*From this moment on they are both teens, for the sake of simplicity-thank you for understanding! Besides, it’s a girl and we all know they mature quicker, ha! Actual ages 11 (+11 months) and 13 😉

Homeschooling With Teenagers:

Teens are amazing, unique and definitely an adventure and a half.

They have an opinion on everything. When your 5-year-old has an opinion, that’s one thing. I had one child would argue it was not raining until you put them outside to prove it. Yup! You can’t believe it, can you?

Now that child looks me in the eye and states their opinion, clearly with facts. Even if they are completely wrong, it is stated with such clear conviction I find myself second guessing myself.

Bonus: Omitting the need to invest in a debate curriculum. Saves you money right?

Teens have the amazing ability to retain every single word, that you shouldn’t have said in the first place. They also have the uncanny ability to relate what shouldn’t have left your mouth, in the worse case possible.

The best? When they are eavesdropping and restate what they heard, completely out of context. Awesome-sauce! And here you thought only toddlers did this? HA!

They can forget any information amazingly well, such as every instruction you gave them to do. As well as any directions or chores asked of them. With complete selected amnesia. It’s truly impressive. Be prepared to repeat yourself – often.

It is hard to find balance in raising and teaching this stage. You must learn to cut through the attitude and find out what they really are trying to say.

I admit this is my failure on days I am carrying work and life stress home after a long day. “I just want to mark your school work and you are sassing me.” This is when I struggle homeschooling teens.

There is amazing joy in watching the children find their personal groove in learning, as they expand in knowledge.

Especially in artistic pursuits. One loves PhotoShop and one loves crafting/drawing. They will write a required essay and count every word so they hit the word count required. So they can stop!

However, they will create, write, edit, spell check and publish online complete stories with recolors/designed characters. Just because it’s something they are interested in. I love it!

Another interesting change that occurred is they have more say in their learning.

Example, we have been learning French since the beginning. This year I wanted to change it to Spanish, as they didn’t seem to retain anything and were seemingly bored. My daughter had no issues, she jumped ship as she was bored with French anyway.

My son calmly informed me he was sticking with French. Then gave me amazingly convincing reasons why. It was awesome! He is currently doing much better in French now that he has done research on why he wants to learn the language. My Daughter is having a blast with Spanish.

I love homeschooling, I especially am enjoying it with teenagers. They are learning the what and why’s and are starting to take a real interest in what they are learning. Starting to make clearer connections, applying what they learn to life. (Sometimes in a really stunned way.)

[irp posts=”4695″ name=”Life with Teenagers: Are we having fun yet?”]

Life With Teens (Quick list)

1. You can not get teens in the shower.
   
2. You can not get teens out of the shower-hope you like cold showers.
   
3. They can do anything they set their minds to. Mind you-you need to get them to think it is their idea 99% of the time but hey! Have I mentioned they are an adventure?
   
4. Remember that helpful child, that loved doing things for you? Well now that they are capable of being a real assistance around the house, they do not want to help you.
   
5. Unless it is something they really want to do, such as bake a pie from scratch unassisted. Just don’t ask them to do it and you’ll be fine.
   
6. The hugs and snuggles are further apart but more genuine. You can not beg them into giving affection but when they do, its heartfelt. <3
   
7. You still need to remind them to brush their teeth, brush their hair and wash their hands. Have I mentioned teens are an adventure??
   
8. They can be side-splitting hilarious and not even know why, which is funny on its own.
   
9. They are so much fun to tease- it can be hard to stay in the boundaries-Ahem…
   
10. They have their own unique sense of style, usually bouncing back and forth from “hobo living on the street” to “I’m a perfect angel” They no longer want to be seen in public with you, but that might be you not wanting to be seen in public with them…

Life & Homeschooling With Teens:

I love my kiddo’s, I miss them when they were little. There are things I do NOT miss. Potty training, and diaper changes being just two of them. I am truly endeavoring to enjoy each stage of their lives.

This one tends to come with many prayers for patience, and understanding. We’ve got growing pains on their part as well as my own. We’ve got hormones on both sides. We’ve got personalities, emotions, and moods- that’s not including the kids! *wink

Watching them take on more responsibility and seeing them gain confidence. To see your hard work and training pay off. To see them take the initiative and do research on their own. These things are certainly a blessing. To those with littles, enjoy and cuddle lots. Time truly flies. The best is yet to come!

Are you a mom? What are your favorite memories of your babies? Do you have any advice to share with us? Let me know in the comments below!

Take care

Jen

PS. For more fun reading on life with teens read: Life with Teens. 

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