The Grace Divide

Here it is, my first brutally honest blog post about parenting teens. You're about to get a look into my head. I hope you're ready. I don't like it. There. I said it. I don't like parenting teens. Before you yell at me about the virtues and joys of motherhood let me clarify. I like being a mom. It's the mothering I don't like. If I could be their mom and just have fun without having to put in the work, I am there. But that isn't how this works, is it? From the moment my babes were born until the moment they are full-fledged adults and even to some degree after that, I will not only be called mom, but I will be called to BE a mother. I know this comes as shocking. I know it flies in the face of all the mushy toddler mom blog posts. I know it comes across as kind of stereotypical with the whole, "teens are so awful" feel. It really isn't that though. My teens aren't awful. I mean they can be as irritating, loud, and disrespectful as...

I search often, probably too often, for blogs that encourage Christian moms of teens. I can find a great number of awesome blogs for moms of little ones. I am so glad those resources are available for those of you just beginning your journey through motherhood. But, I never seem to be able to find a whole lot for those of us who are in the throes of the middle and high school years. My hope is that this blog will be a resource for my fellow moms of teens. I pray it encourages you and builds you up as you face the great trials and great joys of seeing your children into adulthood. With that, I am going to jump right into an introduction of sorts. I grew up Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB or IFBC from here on out). I was born and raised in the same IFB church and I went to the school attached to the church my entire life. For the most part, I remember my childhood and teen years being pretty awesome. I had a stable home life, my parents adored each other, and my world, being s...