“Blending families doesn’t just instantly fit. It take a few different formulas and tries but is also always changing.”

I just want to start with parenting is hard plain and simple. These days even having things uncommon with your kid other than sitting on your phones together in the same spot it is hard. When I think of quality time, I don’t see it as sitting next to or in the same room on our phones, not talking, and not even making eye contact. I know we can’t always have something to talk about and a lot of the times the conversations between us are hard because we just aren’t the same, but we have to find something.

I am 37, an adult, a parent, have lived a life, have learned, taught, and have my own opinions for myself. There are just some things I know more, better, and am right about. When I talk to my 12 year old about like dates or things that happened, some of which she wasn’t even there, turns in to a “Im right, your wrong” battle. Sometimes I wonder what I was like that when I was her age.

Kids think they know everything all the time. When I remind or ask something to one of the kids a lot of the times I get,” I know.” Oh you know, you know what I didn’t ask if you knew. It cracks me up some times and others I am like oh ok you know then I don’t need to speak anymore. What is it a good age to also teach your children that their opinions matter but they aren’t everyones and respect should be given? I mean, where is the book for that? Where is the advice for that milestone?

Trying to figure out and understand what is popular for kids these days is mind blowing. They can sit for hours and just watch adults and other kids play either games or play with toys. It is really creepy when adults are playing with the toys. The voices just make me uncomfortable. Thats what the little guy does is just listens to guys play games or like a puppet do bad things. He doesn’t play with toys or outside or get dirty, I mean at our house at least. He is either on a phone, iPad, or video game. It is so hard to get him to color or really do anything else. He will only do it if the batteries are dead on everything else.

Let’s talk about talking to teenagers. Now this for me is hard because of the hot and cold. One minute everything is chill and going smooth, and then you say one thing they don’t like and watch out for the wrath of the attitude. If you try to joke with them or even repeat something they said, prepare to be shut down. They are right, they know everything, It’s their life, and they don’t need anyone. I have a really hard time continuously holding a conversation about anything with our teen. She gets defensive so quick and confrontational. The other day, she had brought up a subject and of course it can only be her way and all I said was, not everyone is going to see it your way and you have to respect that and know how to direct a conversation another way. Man oh man did I open a can of worms. This my friends, is going to be hard for me. The people you follow and the internet aren’t always right my dear, no matter how many hours you spend on it.

I don’t understand, the snapchat streaks, the silly pointless photos sent back and forth all freaking day, why they can only chat through instagram or snapchat and not text, or face timing for hours but actually watching youtube. At the moment we live in an apartment, but I think even if we were in a house I am not sure they would play outside. I mean, I know I want to be outside and using my hands.

I know I am guilty of being on my phone but I know how to put it down and converse or engage with whatever is going on around me. I mean, they are also so used to being inside that if we go do something that is not air conditioned, is doesn’t last long and I dread it so much. I remember being dragged to do things I didn’t want to do, but I was always told to make the best of it and enjoy the time. I wouldn’t even know how to say that to a kid these days.

Have you ever seen on social media the comparison picture where it says a 15 year old then and one now? Chest out, back arched, cropped top, short high rise shorts, colored pampered cool hair, brows done, and hecka makeup on. Me one length, one colored hair, pleated khaki pants, bushy eyebrows, no make up and a windbreaker. We were doing the Macarena they are doing the stanky leg.

I know times have and will continue to evolve as it should, but as a parent, it is our job to keep them grounded, guide them, protect them and support their hearts. Along with all the world changing, so much more is exposed and it scares me. I try not to freak my daughter out but the maturity and awareness just isn’t there yet. I mean, people can’t go to concerts, movies, malls, churches, malls, and schools without worrying about guns, fights, sex trafficking, and drugs. It just blows my mind.