Let’s face it, teenagers can’t do anything right. If you let them do what they want, they will just hurt themselves and create expensive problems. It is up to their parents to make the right choices, ensure they get good grades, get into good colleges and are able to do the same for their children.
As my children grow up, I supervise every aspect of their lives. Homework is monitored at the kitchen table every night. I sit down with them and get things started and then I guide them through each math problem or science worksheet. I outline their essays in advance and mark important passages in each book. We often read aloud and I go over the themes, characters and other concepts aloud.
When problems arise, which happens all too frequently with children of this age, I take charge and make sure that my kids don’t have to deal with any unpleasantness. If a teacher gives one of my kids a poor grade or they do not make the team or play, or are unfairly punished, I am on the phone right away. Many a time have I had to march right into that school to defend my children! I will not permit anyone, no matter what degrees they may have, to treat my children unjustly.
Each morning, I wake up my kids and get them into the shower. Sometimes, I have to check to be sure that they are using soap. You know how children will be! I make their beds and prepare breakfast while they are getting dressed. As I am laying out their lunches, books, and backpacks, we discuss the agenda for the day. Then we load up the SUV and it is off to school. Time seems to fly and I am always at the head of the line to pick them up at the end of the day. We get home and have a snack that I have prepared in advance. Depending on the evening, we will have a variety of activities and, of course, plenty of homework together.
Recently, we have begun the college search . I attended two programs at the high school discussing this process. I took a great deal of notes and I had lots of questions. I have hired a private college counselor to assist me, and we are developing a close relationship.
I have contacted my child’s favorite teachers and requested letters of recommendation. I am spending my afternoons filling out all the paperwork. There are so many forms to fill out. I am so busy dealing with financial aid surveys, online applications, transcript requests and standardized testing dates.
Frankly, I don’t know what I am going to do when my kids go to college. I want them to go to really good schools, so that means that they will most likely be on the east coast or in northern California. I have researched the costs of condominiums in those areas and I think it is practical to have additional homes near their colleges. I think it is cruel to expect children of this age to move away from their parents. It is not reasonable to think that they can navigate the complexities of college life without their parents’ love and assistance. Besides, whose paying for all this anyway?
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