Every so often, I managed to lock in a few minutes with my very busy, teenage son. He’s a three sport, student athlete living the lap of high school luxury and enjoying his friends’ new found freedom of cars and licenses. We never really see him unless it’s from the bleachers or the daily, anticipated Snap in our group chat called, Famtastic.

Raising this type of human keeps me up at night with contemplation and worry. And, mostly because he’s not home yet, and I’m stalking him on Life 360! Life isn’t easy for any of us, but I do have empathy for the adolescent years; what a span of uncertainty! In a matter of a month, he’s earned his first W-2 form, first debit card, first kiss, and first season ending injury.

Yet, I’ve learned he can handle some setbacks beautifully or simply not at all. He barely balked at his torn labrum for weeks, yet a weekly trip to the dump felt like toddler tantrums all over again. He didn’t miss a beat when asked to write six essays in one weekend for AP History, yet planning a schedule for Junior year may have set him (and me) over the edge. I didn’t hear a whimper after his first break up, but cleaning toilets is teenage agony!

I’m learning what he needs and what may set him off; he’s still my baby and trying to grasp the hardships and grandeur of adolescence. And, I hear he’s the easy one. I’m just beginning to parent two teenage girls! So, I’ve dubbed the teenage years as an “awkward transitioning to adulthood with a few toddler pitstops.”