Touchpoints

Teens are an interesting breed.  And by breed, I mean species.  Because, to say they are human would be an outright lie to you.  Oh, somedays they are human, even moments in every day sometimes, but then they go back to their 'teendom' and regress back to five years old.

Did any of you ever read Touchpoints by T Berry Brazelton when you were a new mom?  I remember getting it and thinking 'this guy's a whack-job'... until that moment when it all began to make sense and then it was my baby bible.

I don't have the book any longer, but this is taken from the website...

"Part One is a chronological account of the touchpoints of development—the predictable spurts that are often preceded 
by distressing regressions."

A blurry pic of his certificate!

Today was a chronological account of predictable spurts, (passing a driver's test!), preceded by distressing regressions (arguing with me at the dinner table for the second night in a row).

WE STILL HAVE TOUCHPOINTS!

My pediatrician always told me when they were little that they would be the most challenging right before a growth spurt (physically and mentally).  Life is a roller coaster with kids, one moment up and another down.  Boy was she right, and I can't tell you how often I've told other mom's that same advice.  Little did I know that I would still need to hear this advice sixteen years later.

Sigh...

So tonight I drink wine and remember.

I remember the younger years that I miss so dearly.

I miss snuggling on the couch and watching Little Bear.

I remember when it was a bumper car or antique cars he would drive at Cedar Point.  Now his bumper car is an antique car :)

I remember when believed everything I said.

I remember tantrums, long nights, and crocodile tears.

I remember feeling like being a mom was what I did best.... sometimes.

Brazelton doesn't have a book on teens.  I imagine there is a box somewhere with many drafts of a book for teens, and he just never figured it out.  And that makes me smile just a bit.  

Because if we don't keep our sense of humor, we will end up in jail.  For that I am sure.

I hope you're somewhere drinking wine too...Enjoy the rest of your week.