How to Survive the Teenage Years

I am raising another teenage daughter. Need I go on? Raising teenagers can be very stressful. As they try to figure out who they are and what they want out of this life they take you with them on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

My first experience with raising a teenager started 10 years ago with my oldest daughter and trust me it was an experience. I wasn’t prepared for her sudden urgent need for independence. Right before my eyes she transformed from a child who needed me for everything to a teenager who claimed that she knew it all. I wanted my little girl back but she had turned into this person that I didn’t recognize.  Years later I realized it was just one of the stages of her life that she had to go through on her journey to become the woman that she is meant to be.

So now that my youngest is a teenager I am a little more prepared. Although I may not have it all figured out I learned a few things to help me survive the teenage years this time around.

Instead of fighting against the need for independence, recognize it as a sign of maturity.  It is the natural progression of life and although it may be hard to think that she may not need me as much as she used to I know that I am raising an independent thinker.

Not all rules are negotiable but there may be room for compromise.

Gone are the days of “Because I said so!” Sometimes it is  necessary to explain our reasons for certain rules we may have.  This allows her to understand why we set them. However, we understand that as she gets older some of the rules we set may have to be amended to allow her room to grow into a responsible young person.

Listen a lot!! Sometimes she has a lot to say and sometimes not so much but nevertheless I stop whatever I am doing to just listen.  There are times where she just needs to vent and does not need or want my advice and I have learned to recognize this.

Teenage stress is real! Teenagers have a lot going on and although some of the things they worry or stress about may seem trivial to us adults we must remember that these things are huge in their world. Never dismiss their feelings because they are real. The best thing we can do is to give them the support and encouragement they need, remind them how incredibly strong they are and to let them know that they are loved.

She’s perfectly imperfect. It is okay to place her on a pedestal because she deserves to be cherished. However, we must allow her to fall off every now and then because although she may be perfect in our eyes her imperfections make up the incredible person she is. 

Dove® Winter Care Body Wash Review

Did you know that your skin loses 25% of it's ability to hold moisture in the winter? Last week in some areas of the tri-state the temperatures reached as low as 10 degrees! Seriously, it was brutal... especially on my skin.  I am constantly on the hunt to find a mositurizer to help reverse the dry effects of winter on my skin.  So when I got the opportunity to review the new Dove® Winter Care Body Wash with NutriumMoisture I was anxious to give it a try and was not disappointed!  Not only does this body wash lather better than most that I have used in the past it also smells terrific and helps to replenish the nutrients that can be stripped in this cold weather!

So even though today's temperature in some parts of the tri-state area reached 60 degrees!! (this weather is crazy!) we all know that winter is far from over and Dove® Winter Care Body Wash with NutriumMoisture is on shelves through March.

I was provided with Dove® body wash and information about the products by Rocket XL. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Care and Keep of Me

Recently, I joined the Healthy Lifestyle Program at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa and it is one of the best things I ever did for myself.

The Healthy Lifestyle Program gives its members a 50 minute massage or facial once a month at a discounted price. Going to the spa is the way I rejuvenate myself whenever life's everyday stresses are getting the best of me. As soon as I walk into a spa I am somehow able to forget about my never ending to-do list and focus just on me....relaxing. I've always treasured my spas days and now I can look forward to recharging myself with a massage or facial every month thanks to the Healthy Lifestyle Program.  

Let's face it our calendars are mostly filled with things that have nothing directly to do with the care and keep of us  and that is why it is so important that the things that keeps us happy and healthy are made a priority!

Even if you are not a member of a Spa there are so many other things you can put on your calendar to make sure that your health and happiness are a priority. Start by making a list of the things that make you happy, find a way to put them on your calendar and make sure that you do them as often as you can!

I was not compensated in any way by Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa for this post. I just want to share a great find with all of you! 

Wordless Wednesday - Longing for Summer

The Next Chapter

"We all have blank pages to fill with spectacular things!" This was the new year's message that my girlfriend sent me after the ball dropped. What powerful, truthful words! We should all approach each new year as the next chapter in our lives ready to be filled with spectacular and exciting experiences!

As I reflect over the past year I know I filled my pages with many first time experiences. I stepped out of my comfort zone in ways I never imagined. In 2012, I was faced with situations and decisions which tested my limits and capabilities....and I passed them all!

I am expecting the blank pages in my 2013 chapter to be filled with many spectcular things! It will be epic!! How will you fill your blank pages???

Happy New Year Friends!!

Nikki

A California Sweet Sixteen Celebration!

Since my daughter was a baby I have been planning her sweet sixteen! It was going to be a winter wonderland theme with pink and white snowflake decorations...the works! So you can imagine my surprise when she informed us last year that instead of a party she would like to go to California to celebrate her 16th birthday! So I ditched the winter wonderland theme and started planning our California Sweet Sixteen Celebration!

When we got to our Hollywood Hotel room she was greeted with gift of chocolates and a birthday card signed by the staff! We were all pleasantly surprised!

One LA landmark my daughter always wanted to see was the Hollywood sign so she was thrilled that it was in clear view from our from our hotel room window.



In the seven amazing days that we spent in LA we traveled in style, hung out with a few "stars", and ate ...A LOT!

We window shopped on Rodeo Drive, went on a tour of Hollywood Star homes, toured the Warner Brothers studio and drove down the pacific coast highway!

We were so glad that we were able to give our daughter this birthday gift. She has been such a blessing to us these past 16 years! Thank you Hollywood California for helping our Star celebrate her birthday in style!

What you see is what you get.....

Have you ever had one of those days that you  just say to yourself...can this day get any worse and then it does? Well, yesterday, I had one of those days. To be honest, lately I have been having a few of those days but yesterday was the day that I realized the reason I was feeling this way was not because of one event but a series of small, annoying and very frustrating ones. So, I took some time alone to really think about what was causing me to feel this way and to see if I needed to change my approach or reaction to these events. However, after doing some real soul searching I came to the conclusion that the only thing I need to change is me thinking that I need to change and that maybe others need to finally learn to accept me as I am....flaws and all!

I won't bore you all with the details of my intense soul searching but what I will share are  3 of my conclusions:

1. No matter how much I try someone will always find fault in my efforts. I am learning to be okay with that because I am not changing! The truth is I can't please everyone but that will not stop me from speaking my mind, doing my absolute best and standing up for what I believe in even if it makes me seem "too nice" - remember that even the nicest people have their limits.....which brings me to #2.

2. People should really learn not to take my kindness for weakness. Seriously, I feel like I have been dealing with issue all my life. Growing up  I was called the "goody, goody girl". Hey, there are worst things to be called! But just because it is my nature to be kind, caring and not a big fan of unnecessary aggressive behavior that by no means makes me weak. When necessary or pushed I am as strong a fighter as the people who may think their confrontational behavior can intimate or change my opinion. Just because your voice is louder than mine doesn't make you right. My opinion is MY opinion and no matter how many times you state yours or in what tone you state it in....I am entitled to my opinion and you will not change it. Period.

3. Last but not least...I am a good person. No, let me change that.... I am an amazing person!!!  I try my best in everything I do, I am a giving person and I have a good heart. I love the woman that I am and what I believe in. I love that my values are ones that I can be proud to teach and hopefully pass on to my daughters. I love that I can still learn in every situation that I encounter good and bad. I love that I can still find the good in people when there is good to be found. 
I love me!  period.
With me what you see, is what you get. Flaws and all.
And if you find fault in my opinion of me...that's YOUR opinion..and we are ALL entitled to our opinions.