Teenagers! Grrrrr

     There is a quote out there that says "Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young".  As the parent to 4 boys, 2 of which are teenagers.  I know this feeling well, except I am a Dad.  None of my kids have ever tested me the way my 18 year old has been testing me.  Actually I should say "us", us being me and my ex-wife.  In his defense, he is the emotional one, and he took the divorce the hardest.  BUT, it's been 4 years...as a matter of fact,  4 years ago yesterday that we announced to our kids we were divorcing.   The last three days it has been a lot of yelling on my part, a lot of frustration on my ex-wife, who calls or texts me.  It is hard to parent from 90 miles away on the phone and via text and e-mail.  But I somehow manage to get results,  they know that when I say "If you don't do ABC, I will do XYZ", I WILL X, Y and Z.  I love my boys, more than anyone can imagine.  A good parent knows the love that only a parent can give their kids.  Even when they push our buttons, and we scream and yell, yet, through all that,  we love them.  They don't see it, and one day they will understand what it is like to be a parent.  As I have told them many times before "I am first and foremost a Dad, nothing you do or say will change that nor will it change how much I love you.  My job is to protect you and teach you to survive in the real world.  Secondly, I am your best friend,  you can tell me anything,  you can ask me anything"   3 out of 4 of my kids get it,  but my 18 year old, wants to challenge me.  One day he will get it, and until then... I am Dad...hear me roar. 

       So this morning, after an 8:00am scolding (My yelling this morning produced enough energy to boil a cauldron), I decided to go on a walk.  So off to the Dry Creek Trail I went and took a nice 1 hour, 5K walk.  The cool air felt good and I got some much needed exercise.