Shifting Gears in Parenting from Mad to Calm

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My teen thinks "I know nothing." Years ago she asked me questions on everything,   yes, even math.  Now she thinks, maybe,I fast-forwarded into senility.

tupid.  Ridiculous.  Brainless.  Dumb. You name me.  My teens think I know nothing.  I am clueless as if I lost my brain overnight.  In addition, my daughter said to me, “you don’t remember because you had chemo. . .”

My goodness, my teens believe I am a complete idiot.  Both of them also blame me for whatever undesirable is happening in their lives like getting some poor grades in school, missing the bus . . .

Huh?

But, but, I wasn't the one who did not turn in homework, or wake up early . . . All my fault?

Shifting Gears in Parenting

I choose not to get mad anymore.  I am reading the book by Dr. Leman, remember, The Have a New Teenager by Friday?  I do not have my son back from the Juvenile Hall yet.  I choose not to bail him out this time.  He will likely get out next week, anyway, after the sentencing.  For now, I can use the new parenting skills I learned with my daughter.  One kid at a time.

I should stay calm, keep my cool, and maintain sense of humor even though part of me wants to take my scarf off and wrap it around . . .  Just kidding.  See, I am smiling.  :)

And another thing that he said in the book . . . “This too [stage of my teens’ life] shall pass.  I hope he mentioned in the book exactly how many days do “this” last.

In an attempt to stay positive and put emphasis on the good, I took my daughter out to eat after volleyball practice yesterday.  She did perfect serves.  IN ADDITION, she actually had good attitude towards me except in her manner of speaking, sometimes, I sense that she really believes I know nothing.  Oh, well.

We both had a good time yesterday, just her and me.  It is the first time we ate out since her ankle monitor was removed.

I am looking forward to practicing more parenting skills with my daughter tomorrow.