I must be doing something right

Colicky babies, projectile spitting-up, and babies on a wonky sleep schedule ain’t got nothin’ on raising a teenage girl.  I know we can all share parenting horror stories regardless of the age or gender of our children, but raising the teenage girl is a whole different dragon to slay.

There’s the eye-rolling, the attitude, the “ohmygoshmomyouaresoembarrassing” glances, and there’s the tears after a break-up. The crabbiness after a friendship has tanked. It’s tough, and makes you wonder when the hell they will ever be old enough to move out and live on their own.

Then there’s days like the one I had Sunday that make it all worthwhile.

My oldest daughter came up to me Sunday morning and said she had something to ask me. I was worried, because sometimes with teenagers you just never can tell what’s going to come out of their mouth– or how much it’s going to cost you.

“Mom, I want to know if I can get a purity ring.”

Well folks, I didn’t know whether to cry or hug her, or both. Either would have been equally embarrassing for her, I’m sure. Although I knew exactly what a purity ring is, I went ahead and decided to use this as a talking point for a heart-to heart discussion.

Me: “What made you decide you want a purity ring?”

Daughter: “Well, my friends and I have been talking, and we decided we all want to get one.”

(Forgive me while I grab a Kleenex, because that just makes me tear up.)

Me: “OK, do you know what they are for?”

Daughter: “JEEZ, Mom. They are (*whispering*) for showing people that I want to wait until I get married to have sex.I have been looking at them on the internet, and I found some I like, and I will even pay for it with my own money.”

Me: “OK, then. I think that a purity ring would be a great idea.”

Daughter: “So, uh, Mom? Did you wait until you were married before you had sex?”

Me: (coughing and sputtering and not sure what to say) “Uh, no.”

Daughter: “Well, I want to wait. And that ring will remind me I want to wait.”

I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I am of this child. My heart just bursts with pride knowing that not only is she deciding to wait, but her friends are all making the same pledge. She won’t be going this alone. I always hope and pray that she will make good choices — better choices than I ever made.

Sunday afternoon, we decided to go look at the jewelry store (this was also the day I found out I have fat fingers.) She spent a lot of time picking out just the right ring for herself.  One of the women shopping in the store even donated her $50 gift certificate to my daughter towards the purchase of her ring. She tried on several rings, and finally decided on one.

I think it’s beautiful, and knowing the reason she is wearing it makes it even more beautiful.  And NO, I didn’t make her pay for the ring herself.  Even though she offered, Husband and I picked up the tab on this, simply because she deserved it.

When she was done picking out her ring, I sat down and started looking for a new ring for myself (Hubby wants to buy me a ring for our 10-year anniversary coming up.). My daughter killed time by texting all of her friends, excitedly telling them about her new ring. She’s the second one in her group of friends to get one, so apparently it was BIG NEWS. She was very proud to get that ring, and could hardly stand to wait the few days it would take to get it re-sized. Now she proudly wears it, and is very eager to tell anyone and everyone what the ring is for.

I must be doing something right.