sexyspice's blog post - If not now then when ?

I am a loving caring parent. My eldest child tells me I'm not too strict nor too lenient, but that I am reasonable.

The younger child is a constant struggle daily, in mid teens but seems on track for serious off the rails. I will reluctantly admit that I have welcomed outside support with the issues my teen is putting us through and was relieved to hear that those in the know feel that I am doing all the right things and in the right way.

I don't see many people in support of those of us with difficult children just scathing comments that we are responsible and that it is all our fault (ie we must be awfully terrible parents)

I take responsibility, indeed have one older child not on a path of self destruction, whilst their sibling does everything possible to make life for those around them difficult and miserable.

I did not raise my child to believe that what misbehaviour they are doing is right, they are acting of their own free will, knowing that is against our principles and beliefs. They are old enough and know right from wrong, and have chosen their own path.

Of COURSE I care, and am indeed heartbroken - there have been some improvements in someways but in others there seems a slide down a slippery slope.

I have hiden my teens behaviour from family and friends for a long while but the time has come ....... I don't care if others judge me badly, I love my child and will of course keep working to improve the current situation and to try to change my teens pattern of behaviour .... just have a think next time you make a smug comment re oh MY children would never do that / behave that way cuz I was that smug in my own head and boy has that come back to bite me on the ass.

SOMETIMES it is the child and not the parents ...... Just sayin.

*baring my soul*

Ss x