Brendan & Lori O'Gara

I learned while raising four girls that I don’t know anything. Raising teenagers is not for the faint of heart. Being a parent is hard. H.A.R.D.! I am in the middle of this war, and if you think it is not a war, you are wrong. We, parents, are fighting social media, society, other parents, teachers, our teenagers’ friends, politicians, bloggers, YouTubers, wishful thinking, anxiety, trends, Satan….on and on…Here is my short list of what I do know.

1. The bitchiness is not about you no matter how personal it seems…don’t absorb it
2. Ignoring behavior is sometimes the best tactic…protect your peace. 
3. Your reaction teaches them how to respond to you…better to not react than to give them weapons to use against you. 
4. Sometimes you just can’t change the behavior; however, you do not have to allow it in your presence…walk away.
5. You must provide basic food, clothing, shelter, educational opportunities, and medical care. That’s it. Not phones or wifi. 
6. Even the best parents have hateful and rude children no matter what the parents do…don’t own their attitude. 
7. Daughters will pretend they don’t need you until they do…be there.
8. Teenagers have no idea what anything costs, and they don’t care…see number 5.
9. One of the hardest things is to let your kid learn from their mistakes and watch them fall flat on their face…pick them up.
10. Choose your battles…I hate this one. It is all a battle.

Remember, you are not alone. I am out here struggling too. Send me a message and we will cry or laugh together. You got this.

Light & Love, Lori

P.S. The photo is a stock picture not my actual daughters. 🙂