Raising Older Kids: A Series.
I know there are about a billion and one blogs out there dedicated to the trials of tribulations of raising a toddler. And trust me, when I was in the thick of it, raising two toddlers at once, it was so nice to take comfort in the fact that I was not alone. It was so much help. Lets take a look at them back then, shall we....
Claire and Lydia at ages 3 and 5...sobbing here!
Oh my Lord, my heart can't take it. Claire age 3 Georgia 6 mo. Ugh
But here I am now, with a 13 year old, a 11 year old and a 7 (8 in Oct) year old.
I think that most people think that by the time you reach these ages it's all down hill from here. Well, I'm here to tell you it's NOT. Us parents of the dreaded tween and teens need to stand together now more than ever. It's the wild west out there people! I mean, cell phones, iPad's, computers, even all their school work is done on a computer. Each middle schooler at the girls school is provided with a mac air book, so it's always there. Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, Meerkat, Tumblr, Facebook (as if mom, thats for old people) and then the dreaded Snapchat, Vine, and KiK and I'm sure I'm missing a few. Lets hope I don't have to worry about Tinder and OkCupid for a long LONG while.
Here is my advice on letting them join any social media platform. First follow the rules of whatever social media thing they are wanting to join and find out what the age restrictions are on joining, and if they have to wait a few months, it won't kill them. It will make joining all the sweeter when they are allowed. Then YOU as a parent MUST join whatever they are wanting to join, learn how to use it just like they will and make it a rule that if they want an account then they MUST be friends with you. End. Of. Story. You want to be on Instagram, great! I want you to be on Instagram, but I will be one of your friends. I monitor their social media activity pretty closely. If they are "friends" with someone that I feel isn't a good representation of what I expect out of them, then they have to go. I have had them delete people based on the other persons user name, we are trying to keep it classy here. I don't like to see any cuss words on my kids social media pages as well, so keep it clean, and I don't mean out of them, but out of the people they chose to have on their pages as friends. The girls are good about language right now and they would die if they thought I thought they were using foul language. I also try to make sure that they are not posting way too many selfies in a day, because it can consume their world and they will let everything fall away if they are allowed. We've all joked about the teenager with their nose stuck in their phone. Don't that junk is real people, and their poor parents are at a loss on what to do, they will totally ignore the world and get completely consumed with social medial if allowed. They also have a cut off time at night through the week. You need sleep, and I know you will want to check that newest PM or see who liked your photo, but it'll be there in the morning. Delay that gratification (sneaky moms teaching life lessons.) My oldest was told once that someone specific had to go, she deleted them, and then a week later had them back on her social media page. That was it, I gave you the warning and you out right disobeyed me, and now you will have delete your entire account. She begged and pleaded with me, she kept saying "I Forgot", but I have to make her believe that my rules are solid, so the account was gone. All 540 followers, gone, all her most prized comments and likes on all her photos, gone, yes I know that one like is from a famous musician. Sorry, thems the rules sister. Now, after 3 months of no Instagram we are letting her have another go with it. Again, I was the 1st friend and I will be watching, again. I don't limit too much social media but I do monitor it. This is a new world and we are all learning as we go. And I hear you mom in the back, why would I even allow her to have it. Well it's simple, she's my kid and I trust her most of the time, and you have to make the same judgement for what works in your house. This is how I deal with social media.
In a few days I'm going to talk about how I deal with things like music, their language and more specific their use of slang, what they are and are not allowed to watch, current events and topics (yes, this is totally relevant to raising a kid today), religion, how I'm teaching them to keep it classy (makeup and clothes) and the honorific things that come with raising daughter; puberty, body image, their period, boys, sex talks, teaching them to control their emotions and other kid drama. I could make this into a HUGE post but lets break it down into several posts and if you are a mom of a grown child and you happen to stumble on my page, please please please share any wisdom you have for me.
Now lets talk about food! Tonight I made Turkey Burgers with a Pesto Mayo. Holy Yum!!
Ingredients:
Turkey Burgers:
1 Lb ground turkey
2 Tsp Mrs. Dash Italian Seasoning
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Ground Pepper
1 Tsp (kroger brand) Hamburger Seasoning
Pesto Mayo:
1/2 C. GOOD quality Mayo, we use Dukes
1/4 C. Pesto (I had store bought so I used it, you can use homemade too)
Mix together ground turkey and seasonings and form into 4 to 5 patties. Let them sit on a plate while making the Pesto Mayo.
For the Pesto Mayo, add mayo and pesto, stir, refrigerate until ready to serve.
Lightly spray your nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat on Med heat, add patties to heated pan. Cook for about 5 minutes each side or until each patty has a nice browned color on it. Once patties have cooked through, serve them on a nice toasted bun with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced red onion and the Pesto May. We paired ours with baked steak fries that I lightly seasoned with the Hamburger Seasoning while they baked and some extra Pesto Mayo for dipping.
