Where is the manual?

As a Mom of one 13 year old boy we have had many times in his short life that have tested everything I have and everything I am to "keep it together, be rational and remember he is just a kid". Sometimes I wonder how many times I have to repeat the same thing. Well, I am finding out that there are some things that you can not repeat enough....like "brush your teeth and wash your face". Questions like "did you feed and water the dogs?, are your chores done - the way they are supposed to be?" Ugggh. That leads me to the "remember he is just a kid" part. As I (we) try to teach basic, but utterly important life responsibilities, there are many times that I have treated him like an adult and have forgotten, he really is just a kid. I know it is not an epiphany, but a gentle nudge to myself to remember he is just a kid and only has a brief amount of time left to be just that. My wish for him is to grow up, be a loving, caring and responsible member of society. I guess if I remember the "big picture" those little reminders really are no big deal.

I am one of the lucky Moms. I have a kind and respectable son. He is loving and he still kisses me and tells me he loves me - everyday! (Don't tell anyone I said so, he is 13 after all and that is totally uncool.) He has great manners and really is learning about the responsibilities of life, even if I sometimes wonder.

Tonight's question. Where is the manual? I think that darn nurse forgot to leave it with me when I was wheeled out of the hospital that day in 1996.

So for all of the Moms (and Dads) that are on the same journey, finding their way along with their kid(s), here is to hoping we don't screw them up too bad as we write our own manual!