A whopper with cheese and a large Dr. Pepper to eat while he did…
Posted by Ordinary on Purpose, by Mikala Albertson on Monday, November 4, 2019
But now most of what I do to love and care for him is L.A.M.E.
I enforce screen time limits and harp on grades and insist on knowing where he is all the time. I monitor what he’s watching and set curfews and make him do his chores and take him to church and talk about responsibility.
And now most of my ‘love’ is met with heavy sighs and eye rolls and “Come on, Mom.”
No more snuggles and Legos or back tickles and books.
He’d rather sit in his own corner of the couch. He’d rather keep his eyes on his phone. He’d rather just give me a quick hug each night before he hoists that long, lanky body up onto the top bunk. I can’t even remember the last “Just a little bit longer, Mom.”
Even when he’s sitting right in front of my eyes…sometimes I just MISS him.
I hear they come back around.
And I do my best to keep showing up. Keep being here in whatever way he needs me. Driving him around. Reinforcing rules. Listening. Loving. Praying. Offering those quick hugs. Laughing at the funny memes he shows me. Asking questions (even if I know the answer might come with a grunt). Telling him I’m proud. Reminding myself this is what is
SUPPOSED to happen. Making sure, somehow, he still KNOWS how much I love him.
Most nights I hover in the kitchen pretending to do the dishes while he has a snack before bed. And every once in a while, he chatters away with a “Hey, mom. Guess what??” as he tells me about his day.
I LOVE that.
I soak in every moment.
And if it goes too long and I’m desperate for a wide smile and maybe even a “You’re the best, Mom!” I know what to do.
I’ve got my secret weapon.
A whopper. And a large Dr. Pepper.
(FYI: the way to a teen boy’s heart is ALWAYS through his stomach!!)
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