A couple of years ago, when Josie had a student in my class, she often would approach me with, “Say, Mrs. Acuna – what should I do about. . .?” Her questions ranged from dealing with adolescent moods to motivating her daughter to do better in school. “You always have such good advice,” she’d say. “You should think about writing a book!”
I have thought about it – and this blog, begun about 10 months ago, was my first step (along with starting my own company, BRIDGE*Parenting). Fifty posts later, I’m surprised to discover I still haven’t run out of things to say! Certainly my classroom provides plenty of fodder, especially this year, when I get to spend time with seventy 7th and 8th graders as the day goes on. But I also blog about questions and issues raised by parents (including Josie, whose daughter is in high school), and also by students (“I wish you’d tell my parents that!”).
I find teenagers fascinating and funny, and they never fail to tug at my heart as they navigate their way through the storms of adolescence. I ache for their parents when I see them getting sucked into the storms with their teens. They often make the same mistake an untrained rescuer might make when trying to help a drowning person – getting too close and trying to do too much, or trying to overpower the victim.
And so I write, and I advise (only when asked!), and I dream of the day when I see my name on a book cover or I receive an invitation to speak at a conference. I’m building a website (and a “platform”) and learning how to market myself.
In the meantime, what’s going on with you and your teen? Can I help?