Naturalle Drea

We are in the home stretch of Blogtober and I am so proud of myself. Almost done and made it everyday this month! I’m excited for being focused on this and not giving up at all (there were only a few times this month lol).

A lot of you may or may not know that I am a mom to a wonderful now 14 year old son. I don’t know how 14 years went by so fast but it is crazy how fast he is growing and now in high school. I don’t talk too much about parenting and stuff because I notice a lot of you do not have kids. I feel like there are so many levels to parenting and this one, the teenage level is really hard. I survived the newborn, toddler and elementary levels which all were not that bad. Well, the lack of sleep during the newborn level is something else but you appreciate all the stages and levels because they grow so fast.

Now this current teenager level requires a lot of patience and grace. They are going through hormonal changes, high school is different, the attitude, emotions, growing up and so on. I remember what it was like in high school and my experience was different, way different. You are growing and changes are happening and all, I get it. But the attitude thing….

Whew that is something else and it can be hard to not lose your shit but you have to have grace and be patient. It is really hard because how you react affects things and how your dynamic is. It may take you taking a moment to gather your response. I’ve had to do that a few times. I feel like this level is where you really need to lean in and reenforce those life lessons and skills you’ve been teaching all along because they need to be more independent and doing things for themselves. Also showing empathy because this world is cruel and harsh and people are being ignorant and just have the audacity for no reason, you need to prepare them for that.

I have extra fear because I am raising a black son and all that we have had to experience seeing online (and continue seeing) and seeing how the world views us and all is extra tough and emotional. I want to keep him in a bubble and protect him forever but I have to let him grow. I just want the world to stop viewing black men in a negative light because not all of them are like that. We are not all bad. It is scary.

I’m still learning as a parent and growing with my son and thankful for the 2 parent household. I just can’t get over my son being in high school and just growing up so fast. I’m so thankful for him and his unconditional love. It is something amazing.