25 years ago, give or take a day, I was 14, and just starting what would be a very interesting summer vacation. One that included a lawn business that I had with a friend of mine, in which we would mow about 10 lawns a week. It was the second of 3 summers we had done this, but the 1st was really a learning process.
Why is this significant?? Well My daughter at that exact age in life. She just finished 8th grade, and on this very first day of summer vacation already has a babysitting gig. Though its not her first one, it does seem like a first, cause we are advertising her availability to our friends and because she wants this to be a common thing going forward. As I sit here today thinking about her summer before high school, one that will be filled with a Church camp, her helping out at VBS and one that hopefully is filled with more babysitter gigs, I cannot help but stress over the next couple years and what they will bring for her.
Though I know that her situation is nothing like mine was, I HATED the next couple years of my life at that age. Reasons I will not get into right now, but they where not fun. Basketball was the only thing I considered positive, and even that had a lot of turmoil. And she is coming off of not making 9th grade cheer, which was a huge deal to her, and she is stressing out about having friends now that shes not a cheerleader. Now I know she will make friends outside of cheer, and already has. But she worries so, it makes me worry about her.
So now that summer before HS is upon us, I start to think about these next 4 years. I at times feel I have very little to give her being my HS experience was SO different being home schooled. Luckily Jenn has that, but even she agrees due to personalities hers will be much different as well. I wonder about boys, those 15+ year old jerks, all of them. I know I am exaggerating, but its how I feel right now. I think about her getting her learning permit next year. I have already put her behind the wheel a couple times, but its scary. I think about pressures she will face, at school functions, party's, and just hanging out with friends. I pray I have given her the tools to handle them well, and the faith in God to ask for help as needed. Most of all I pray she has a good experience the next few years, I do not want her to have to go through anything like I had to. She deserves so much better.
Amen.
John you have and are a great father to all of your kids. I don't think you will have anything to really worry about. Yes she will probably get her heart broken once of twice and high school for a girl can be hard but you and Jennifer have raised a smart beautiful young lady and as a girl when it comes to the dad in their life as long as she knows she can come to you with any problem and not be judged of just come to you for a hug or an shoulder to cry on I think she will be fine. You guys are some of the best strongest parents , people I know. She is smart and had God on her side so with God and you guys to guide her along this new journey she will be taking I think she had everything she needs to get through it. Love you
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