Wonder Weeks for Teens?

Thanks to The Baby Sleep Site for including the language of the Wonder Weeks for me to shamelessly parody this philosophy.....(I'm warning you...I probably think I'm funnier than I actually am..so tell me I'm funny if you want, or just pretend you didn't see this if you don't think I am)

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law have sworn by the Wonder Weeks books and system--According to Amazon: "The Wonder Weeks. How to stimulate your baby's mental development and help him turn his 10 predictable, great, fussy phases into magical leaps forward describes the incredible mental developmental changes (leaps) and regression periods that all babies go through. Understanding the real reason behind crying, eating and sleeping problems is the only real solution every parent needs. The Wonder Weeks reveals what’s going on inside baby’s mind."

There seem to be lots of discussions about "Well, if you expect your child to be fussy then they will be", usually followed by someone else saying something like "golly, I couldn't figure out what was going on, then I remembered this book and went 'ooohhh'".  Overall, the reviews seem positive and people seem to believe that the idea is valid and trusted. 

It got me thinking, what would wonder weeks for teenagers look like?

624-675 weeks- Transition--These weeks are often marked with periods of regression, as well as attempted independence.  The teenager may crawl into their parents' bed one night, and refuse to go to speak to them the next.  This time may also be marked by entrance into Middle School or Junior High.  While still interested in snuggling occasionally, these opportunities become farther apart as the teen tests limits.  The best response is a flexible one, being available to snuggle when asked (without showing too much enthusiasm, as this will break the moment) and having the patience to stand by when "not wanted".

676-727 weeks--Thrilling Thirteen--Like the "Terrible Twos", these weeks are sometimes remarkably uneventful, with more hype than actual thrills. The turmoil of entering a new school has died down slightly.  For some teens there may be a hormonal spike, beginning as early as 520 weeks in some cases, that can cause irrational behavior throughout the teen years.  The best treatment is to remain calm and say repeatedly, "Hormones...they're not just for girls". Again, being flexible, but firm, is imperative.  And chocolate. Lots of chocolate (for the parents).

728-779 weeks--Transition, Again--These weeks are often marked by more transition, this time to high school.  Added external stressers (for parents) include: classmates who look like they are 1560 weeks old, new friends who can drive, parties, etc.  Stressers for the teen include AP exams, exams of any type, reading Grindal, and friends who act irrationally due to their own immersion in the teen wonder weeks.  Parents should remain calm and repeat often, "No, you may not attend a rave" (to the teen) and "This too shall pass"(to themselves).  Applying chocolate to the teen as well as the parent may be helpful at this time.

780-831 weeks-Driven--Not just a description of the teen's goals, because sometimes they may not actually be "driven", but a description of life in general.  The parents may find themselves driving the teen and multiple friends as well as find themselves in the passenger seat, riding with a new teen permit holder. The phrase "it would be ok to use your brakes" may be useful during this time.  Making adult friends near the teen's school is also useful, so that when the phrase "We'll be back at school from the sporting event at midnight" is spoken the parent has a nearby location to nap on a friend's couch.  The teen will probably alternate been behavior that is "driven" ("I have to get an A on the test so I can go to Harvard!!!") and behavior that seems apathetic.  If the parent indulges, this may be the time for a glass of wine (for the parent!).  

832-1014 weeks--Time Flies--This longer period of time, that according to experts, seems short in hindsight, usually encompasses "once in a lifetime" events such as prom and graduation.  It may include visits to colleges, parent/child negotiation about distance from home, and repeated reminders that "you don't have to go to the same college as your friends". The FAFSA form is a stresser for both the teen and the parent, as well as additional discussions about adult choices.  The teen may occasionally revert to child-like behavior and an emphasis may be put on "family traditions" by the teen and/or the parent. Take lots of pictures and enjoy the ride.

1014 -1170 weeks  Systems--During this time, the teenager may continue to build independence, punctuated by periodic periods of parental reliance (particularly in situations involving car repair, laundry, college tuition, and job searches).  The teen will probably move out, at least partially, during this time period, to either attend college or begin working in the adult world. But, lest a meltdown be triggered, provide an opportunity for the teen to empty their own room before turning it into a gym or library.  This period is best treated with gifts of groceries, snow tires, and occasional twenty dollar bills left under lamps in teen's apartment or dorm room. 

1170-1300 weeks--The Lost Years--These years are actually not lost, but extremely instrumental in the young adult's creation of themself as an adult.  However, depending on the young adult, they may have greatly increased or greatly decreased reliance on their parents.  Much like the 624-675 week period, be available, thankful for positives, and firm, but flexible, with boundaries ("No, we aren't paying for a $50,000 wedding to a person you met last week", "yes, you can live in our basement, but only until July").

1300 weeks--Responsibility--My sources assure me that by 1300 weeks, most young adults have settled into a pattern more closely matching adult behavior. While, we all as human beings, occasionally need extra TLC, for the most part the treacherous path of the teen Wonder Weeks has passed.  My sources also tell me that somewhere between 1300 weeks and 2080 weeks, there is a reasonable chance that the child will become a parent themselves, allowing the words, "Yeah, s/he acts just like you did" to be said and opportunities for bonding as adults, not just parent and child, to occur.  

Day 10 Seattle, again

Saturday morning dawned with us already docked, but not allowed to leave the boat yet.  We had some breakfast and finished packing up.

There were lots of hugs and then we headed off to the hotel with my parents while my brother's family headed for the airport.

About this time I tried to post "Back in Seattle" to Facebook.  I must not have had very good service, because it has "retried" about every 24 hours since I first attempted....And it shows up as a new post, as if I am currently in Seattle.  Grr. 

Back at the hotel--our view this time was of the "forest" near the lake.

We all couldn't get over how big our hotel room felt!  My folks headed off for the afternoon, and even though we hadn't planned on it, we called Mr IM's family to see if they were free.  They were, and came over for a couple hours to try out the pool and hang out.

After a swim and a couple stories, they headed off

Mr. Ranch had a short nap...we met my folks for dinner and then all fell asleep for one last travel day!

Day 2 Seattle

Friday morning we were up bright and early. Grandma picked us up and we headed for breakfast at the Pancake Chef, apparently a local legend.  Breakfast was delicious--if you're ever near the Seattle airport it is worth a visit!

 Next was an obligatory trip to downtown Seattle.  We originally said we had "done" these tourist things already, but then realized that The Boy was only 2...so a trip to downtown was in order...

 Loading up the kids

 Space Needle

 Awesome playground behind the Needle--not to be missed if you like playgrounds (or even if you don't...it was fun!)

 Some street performers....

 A ride on the monorail









A walk to the public market














And the waterfront...

A monorail ride back, then a photo in front of the helipad used in Grey's Anatomy.. (we have a fan in the family...can you tell who?)

And finally on to dinner at Alkali Beach--ironically, my brother and his family visited the same area and were leaving there as we left downtown...

And before returning to the hotel, a photo session for Grandma with all her grandkids!

A Pacific Northwest Adventure, Day 1...Denver to Seattle

I'm back....

So for my parent's 50th anniversary, they took the whole family on an Alaskan Cruise.  Since Alaskan Cruises leave from Seattle, we added a day or so on either end of the trip so we could visit with Mr IM's mom, sister, brother-in-law, and our nephews.

We left the Suburban Ranch very early on Thursday morning and headed for the airport..
As always, there was a lot of hurry up and wait..

 Flying Southwest, we were pretty sure we wouldn't get four seats together, so we had travel buddies---this is mine, in his vintage Varnet shades.

 After a pleasant plane trip, we landed in Seattle and took a shuttle to the airport.  Since it was only 10 in the morning, our room wasn't ready, but the nice folks checked our bags for us. By the time we got everything situated, Grandma arrived and we piled in!

First stop was to visit Grandma's new apartment, including her awesome community garden and her giant tomatoes!

For our second stop, we met up with Aunt A, Uncle M, and the cousins.  Little E was quite the hit with The Girl (although she passed him off when diaper duty came around)

 The Boy found a secret garden, which just happened to be a giant blackberry bush!

 Grandma hung out with all her grandkids at once--

 And helped the enthusiastic boys find blackberries to share with everyone

 For dinner we visited a restaurant in an old school--we ate on the patio, listening to live music, and enjoying the (slightly) cooler weather!

After dinner, Grandma dropped us off at the hotel (for a long walk to our room...biggest hotel ever...seriously) ...Day 1=success!