I relax about how much you enjoy Fortnite and other video games, and just savor the time you are in my house and under my roof, even as you scamper through a virtual world. I continue to bring you a bowl of cereal in the morning as you fall back asleep on the couch before school. It’s a little thing you could do for yourself, but I don’t mind.
Letter to My Teen What I Want for Mother’s Day
By Katy M. Clark
I
know better than to expect a handmade card from you this year. Or a necklace made out of macaroni noodles, or a stone painted with the words, “Mom, you rock!” After all, you are in high school.
I will always treasure those cards and gifts from when you were younger, but what I wish for on Mother’s Day now that you are a teen is different. So, as you roll out of bed, probably forgetting about my special day (even though your dad reminded you at least once), let me share what I want for Mother’s Day. I hope that:
step it up in the litter-box-cleaning department, though.) You will always want to tell me about whom you eat lunch with at school. I can help you with your Language Arts homework when you ask because you know it was my strongest subject, and it’s not yours.
My front seat continues to be a welcoming place for you to sit and chat with me.
I will always have enough snacks for you in the pantry. And may I continue to remember to buy two pounds of meat, instead of one, for recipes. You definitely have a much bigger appetite these days.
We will always bond over our cat, talking to her in baby voices and cracking each other up. (You could
I can encourage you to be your best in whatever role your coach feels is right for you.
I will always have a full pack of gum from which you can mooch.
20 MendoLakeFamilyLife
It will continue to be easy between you and me when I tease you about those girls you message on Snapchat. I have the agility to dodge the laundry you leave on your bedroom floor and
I hope that I will always have a full pack of gum from which you can mooch. the patience to teach you—again—how to fold clothes and put them away. Okay, I see your face. You are wondering how you can wrap any of these “gifts” or if I’m serious about them at all. Please know that I am. They mean the world to me. But don’t worry about getting me everything. The truth is that I’ve already received the greatest gift this Mother’s Day: The gift to be your mom, especially during these teen years. Stop making that face. I’m serious. And yes, you can have a piece of gum. It’s in my purse. You know where. Katy M. Clark is a writer who celebrates her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.
May 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com