Sweet 16 Birthday – Where does the time go?

Sixteen years ago today I was 9 days past my due date and just waiting and waiting and…  Today, I’m planning a Sweet 16 birthday party for my daughter this Friday.  Co-ed which scares the heck out of me.  I have to reach back into my own long ago memories and remind myself what it was like to be a teen.

As the “Sunrise, Sunset” song plays in my head, I look at the moments firmly imprinted on my mind of those every day, ordinary things that somehow stood out.  And I revisit that day, that moment, that tear, that smile, and wonder how time could pass so quickly.

I’m blessed to have a smart, truly beautiful daughter who is a well balanced, confident, typical teenager.  As much as I sometimes wonder if I was/am a good mom, by all accounts when I look at her I have my answer.

So, go hug your children today, whatever age, because they make life wonderful, don’t they?

Read Full Post »

Drivers Ed

My daughter turned 15 last month.  This means that in the State of Washington she can get an instruction permit, take drivers ed and, theoretically, she can be driving before she’s 16.

The local driving school happens to be right down the hall from my cookie shop.  This proximity has my daughter regularly asking when I’m going to sign her up for drivers ed.  My response continues to be the following:  when you find out the details (when it’s given, how much it will cost, how do you sign up, how do you get the instructional permit, how will you pay for it, etc.) then we’ll talk.

My thoughts on this are pretty straightforward.  If a teenager (my child) wants to be allowed to drive, which brings with it a huge amount of responsibility, then they need to be responsible enough to find out how to go about it.  If they’re not going to do the leg work, then your legs are what they’ll be using since they won’t be driving.

Other than the several hundred dollars that the class will cost, you have to factor in the increase in your auto insurance premiums.  And, don’t forget to add in the cost to regularly color your hair because getting behind the wheel with a teenager whose learning to drive will most definitely hasten the onset of gray hair.  See my thoughts on the gray hair issue in my blog of on WorkingMother.com at http://workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewBlogLandingPage/dlinkBlog&sp=S1378

But I think the main reason, if I’m honest with myself, that I’m not ready for her to drive is that it reminds me that she’s growing up.  And I’ll postpone the inevitable as long as I can.

Read Full Post »