Like so many other americans this year has been rather trying for us. I may get lots of angry comments for it, but our year was hard for different reasons. Financially, it was a pretty good year. You see, for the first time in 7 years, I went back to work full time. For the first time in 7 years we had two full time incomes. We have been able to get on a great track with paying down our debt, and even managed to sock a little money away. So what was so darn tough this year? For all of the good two jobs did us finacially, our family life took a massive hit. For the first time, I am not home when the kids go to school, not home when the day is done. I’ve missed Kindergarten graduations, and daytime christmas concerts.
Our oldest has become a teenager, and to say that it has been stressful is an understatement. He is dealing with school bullies, and the loss of a dear friend, and mentor. I should clarify that he is my stepson, so he also has to deal with two homes, both of which are polar opposites in every possible way. This year has been so tough on us that it has truly made me question my parenting.
Enough wallowing. The other day I was browsing online news when I stumbled across an article extolling the virtues of free online courses offered by universities. I was intrigued (free? I’m intrigued by anything free) and went to the site they specified in the article. Brigham Young University offers a few personal enrichment courses online, and they are indeed free! As I looked over the offerings, I noticed two courses on developing family life. One was developing a functional family, which we need despretly, and the other was parenting a teenager. These courses were MADE for us! I signed up immediately for the first course, and got to work. Just five minutes into the introduction, I knew I found something that could truly help my family. Someone on the other side of the country has written something that spoke to me directly. I’m not even halfway through and I have already encouraged my husband to sign up, and now I am encouraging you!
If you have a family, this course is for you. If your family is having a few difficulties, this course is for you.
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just as a side note? I was in absolutely no way compensated for this post, nor was I even asked to write it. This is all me peeps, so it can be taken completely at face value.
::hugs:: It’s probably of little solace, but a lot of this stuff comes with the teen territory-regardless of parenting, family structure, etc.