The teenagers years...ready or not here I come

I am having a hard time realizing that in 6 short months I will officially be the parent of a teenager.
Yikes.
Even seeing that typed out blows my mind.
How did I get here? How could this happen? Wait, what?!?!
I remember looking at parents of teenagers when my kids were little and kind of putting them in like a different category.
Ya know, like thinking they were all seasoned and professional and kind of a different place than me.
And here I am.
In that very category.

I already shared about my little "talk" with AJ when he turned 12.
I gave him the heads up that he was already placed in the I-have-an-attitude-because-I'm-12 bracket by so many people.
And as I mentioned my irritation with that fact, since it doesn't give him a chance...my tips for this age are obviously coming from the perspective of what I plan to do, what I remember my parents doing with me, and what I am watching my sister and brother-in-law do with their teens.

I will equip them.
2 Corinthians 9:8 says that I will always have all sufficiency in all things enabling me to abound to every good work!
Amazing.
It's not only for me...this is for my kids.

The book of proverbs is incredible.
There's 31 chapters making it a really easy read-a-chapter-a-day book.
My biggest tip for myself and for anyone with teens...
Stay in the word and tell them to stay in the word.
Our sufficiency does not come from my clever and amazing parenting skills, it comes from God. Period.

Proverbs 4:23 says to keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Don't be duped into believing the lie that you should follow your heart, or trust your heart.
No! Your heart is deceitful above all things!
KEEP your heart, and follow Jesus!

Find someone you respect who has raised godly teens and learn from them!
You can do this. God says it.
BUT you have to do it his way to make it work his way.
And let me tell you...his results are the ones I'm after!

Don't be afraid to be the unpopular or uncool mom if you're following God.
His blessings are way better than anyone else's!

Rock on, moms!
You can do this.