This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication
“I’m heading back to school for a football game,” my 17-year-old daughter says, grabbing an apple with her free hand because the car keys are in the other. “I’ll be back around 9 pm. Unless we go out after. Then I’ll text you.”
“Can I go to a friend’s house to watch a movie tonight?” our 15-year-old son asks on a Saturday afternoon as he shares where he’s going and with whom.
I’ve stopped being offended that my teens don’t want to spend time with me and my husband. After spending so much time interacting with friends online throughout the worst of the pandemic, I’m thrilled that they’re making plans to hang out with friends.
This exciting developmental milestone is normal. Not only is it normal but the Center for Parent and Teen Communication (CPTC) says it means I’ve done a “fantastic job as a parent raising a self-sufficient human who feels prepared to go out into the world.” Hooray!
After spending their lifetimes providing love, support, and boundaries, it’s nice to know it’s these exact things that help them feel safe when they leave our family nest. It’s also reassuring to know they also opt for chill time at home or family adventures over friends sometimes, too.
What milestones have you celebrated with your teen? Choosing friends over parents is just one of many teen milestones to celebrate. This month CPTC is observing a different teen milestone each day. For more information about CPTC, sign up for their 100-word, daily parenting tip newsletter to gain practical tips for parenting teens.
This post is made possible with support from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, part of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. All opinions are my own.
