Chilling Conversations

Today was a day reserved for improvisational conversation between me and my teenage daughter. She would never sense that what she shares would make me feel uncomfortable or that I want to jump into her defense and start beating up people who dishonor her. Instead I offer information with grace and wisdom from my own personal backlog of experiences.

I put my daughter in a series of sex education classes at my church, have been careful to walk in integrity to keep her respect and to show her how to maintain herself however I still feel ill prepared for high school. I am proud of her ability to stand up for her position and beliefs when peer-pressured and I am especially thankful that she is trusting of our relationship to confide her venting thoughts with me and seek my advice.

Today after we talked I got nervous because my parental involvement has been helpful so far but what happens if she finds her husband before I do? I’m only halfway being funny with that question.

God guides me well so I am sure I can draw from the marriage well of experiences from people who we admire. As it relates to connections I have said to my daughter that I don’t date people in church because if things don’t work out it could be awkward. Church is a safe place and its like home where I can be with god without disruption of negative energy.

She has agreed with this sentiment and followed suit. When talking about boys and school I reminded her of the church environment and she responded, “I didn’t think of it like that before.” Well, now she realizes that she is “the bait” as they call it and she is amazing and that mixing her goals of college to study law and being the most adored girl cannot co-exist.

She has amazing focus and a distinctive laughed that involve tears and the pee-pee dance. I pray for her to make the best decisions and I coach her because I so desperately wanted that for me. She knows my mistakes but more importantly in my house we focus on the lessons.

I enjoy our talks even when they are uncomfortable and I have to balance being open and semi-sensored. I have three years until she goes to college and I pray that still loves to talk to her mommy even while she is away to discuss strategies on how to handle relationships, education and her walk with God!