Mama

This was a picture I found online. It started as three black birds on a white background. Then I opened it in paint and started messing around with it and this is how it turned out. Hope you like it!

Mama

I think they are trying to find a new date for the dance but I'm not sure. Also I think you get to pick our uniform color if it's still not claimed already. I'm excited for volleyball and skiing, too.

Abby Darling,
Wow! I guess I made a couple mistakes. It's a bummer that the dance was canceled. That would have been a good opportunity for you to get out there and socialize a bit. I emailed the volleyball guy today to tell him I wanted Guin and Margaret on our team, but I haven't heard back from him yet. Our coaches meeting is Thursday night so I should be finding out who is on our team then (if not before). I'm kinda excited to get started - aren't you? I hope we get a good color for our shirts - then we can get some cool socks. One more week then we go skiing - you need to keep doing those exercises!
Love you,
Mama

Yo-Mama

First, the actors name is Alex Pettyfer (picture of him on right) and I told you that last night and he is very cute. The new movie he is going to be in is Beastly and I think it comes out March 4th or around then. Second, the theme is like under the sea or something along those lines and I think they are going ot give us something to eat, but I'm not sure. Third, it is Guin not Gwen.

Yo - Abby

I don't know about you, but I thought the movie was AWESOME!!! Did you look up who the main actor was? He is soooo cute - I'm sure he'll be quite successful. What was the other movie you said he is going to be in? We should plan to go see that one too.

Does the dance on Friday afternoon have a theme? Are you supposed to dress up? Who all do you think is going? I hope you and Gwen and whoever else is going will have a good time. Maybe you should take your camera. Are they having pizza or something for you guys? Hopefully it won't rain or sleet or snow - I wonder if the school has made a backup plan in case the weather is bad.

Love ya,
Mama

Abby - Intro

Here are a few things about me. First I love to read, I read whenever I can. My favorite genres are fantasy and science fiction. So I guess you could say I'm a book freak. Second, the only sport I play is volleyball. I think its amazing how some people play like ten different sports, well I'm good with just one. Third, I get good grades in school even though I think school should be three or four hours shorter. And last but not least, I have awesome friends and an amazing family.

Georgia: Initial Thoughts

When I think about mother/daughter relationships, I can't help comparing my experiences with my own mother to the things I have experienced with my daughters. While my mother and I never had what I would consider a volatile relationship, neither were we extremely close. If I ever had a serious problem or concern of any kind, I would talk to my mom about it only as a last resort. Ours was more of an authoritarian/I'm-the-boss-you're-the-kid relationship.

With my oldest daughter, who is now 23, I feel like we communicated about 100% more than my mom and I did. However, we didn't necessarily talk about some of the most important topics; drinking, smoking, sex, etc. While I feel like I was a pretty good sounding board for her when she had boyfriend problems or fights with her friends, I was hesitant to bring up more sensitive topics. I'm not sure if I was afraid of not knowing what to say or how much -- or if it was just uncomfortable and therefore easier to avoid than tackle.

The good news is that we communicate like CRAZY now - and I think she turned out pretty well in spite of my shortcomings in the communications department. And even more good news!! I have two more daughters to practice on. I definitely feel like I can discuss more sensitive topics with them - partly because I'm more mature and partly because there are more avenues for us to communicate with each other. We'll see if it actually makes a difference.

Intro

The relationship between a parent and a teen is one of the most intense of all relationships. This is because parents are used to the nurturing role and their sweet baby girl. However once puberty hits a girl is not only faced with changing hormones but also the task of finding themselves as an individual, apart form the family. Just when a daughter needs her freedom a parent needs connection and control. This is what causes most friction in the relationship. Parents need to learn to stay close while also letting their young lady grow. Teen girls need a strong support system to help them get through this difficult and confusing time. This become the parents job to– Listen with out judgment, share stores from your past, pry when need be, make her know she is loved. With a more successful outlet or tools for communication this relationship known for being rocky and scary, could be less stressful and pleasant. Parents could then focus more on help their daughters gown into healthy and happy young women.

Day 1

Hey there, I like many other women in America remember what it was like gowning up and consistently fighting with my parents. I feel like they didn't understand me and getting us to talk was like pulling teeth. However having a healthy relationship with your parents during this time is really really important. Teens especially girls need guidance and support.

This blog was created with the intent to strengthen and invoke communications between you and you and your teenage daughter. Use this online space to interact with your daughter. You can leave her a message, post a picture for her to look at, or even remind her of things going on. By striking up a conversation the daughter will be inclined to return the effort. Have some fun with this, it is meant to get you talking. Occasionally I will be adding questions or challenges of my own to kick start the interaction. Feel free to add any additional comments and feedback through out. This is strictly a mock up and is meant to be critiqued. Thanks so much