Just GLAD to see this board!

[DiannaK]

As a mother of a 12 year old girl, as well as a 15 month old .. I'm a bit torn at times. I have LOADS of resources for how to deal with Rachel (the baby), but not so much to deal with Abigail!

Looking forward to reading and posting here!!



Dianna

[sunflowers]

Hi! I found it very strange, too, that there are so many resources available for infant and toddler parenting but those resources really do get scarce as the child gets older. In my case, it seems I often need more guidence, support and opinions about my 15yo than I do for my baby After all, I've BTDT through the baby/toddler/childhood years but I've never raised a teenaged boy before :

Just wanted to say and say that you're not out there alone with a teen and a toddler

[SusanElizabeth]

I agree with what you're saying. There are so many magazines, websites, etc. for dealing with birth to about 10 and then after that there is some kind of assumption that parents don't need support any more.

[orangefoot]

Also, when you have teens you spend less time hanging out with parents of teens unlike when youhave littler people. there are no 'Mum and teen' groups so you aren't talking about what's going on with your teens and supporting each other.

I have a couple of friends with teens and toddlers or babies like I do and we try to get together sometimes. One of my ds's friends has just had a little brother and I've met his mum for coffee a couple of times too. She's from Florida and lent me her copy of Spiritual Midwifery when I was pregnant then needed it back when she got pregnant herself!

[BelovedK]

Welcome

I have a 12 yo and there are hardly any resources for AP the older child. I'm glad these boards exist

[mamakarata]

I can relate to the "torn" part - I have a similar span with a 16 yo dd and a 5yr ds.

I have come to find comfort in the small reprieves from each of their worlds. You can only play volcano and lego so many hours per week, and on the same token, the teen world gets a bit dramatic as well!

I actually enjoy both quite a bit. And I agree, this board is a nice resource.