Motherhood The Real Deal Talks Teens!
Welcome back to the talking teens series where I ask those with small children what they envisage those teen years to be like. As a parent of teenagers, it’s a wonderful way to connect with all of those fantastic parent bloggers of younger children so I am thrilled that this month’s interview is with Talya from Motherhood The Real Deal. Talya is a total professional at blogging who inspires me daily. Most of you will also know Talya as the founder of the #CoolMumClub along with Sarah from Mum Muddling Through.
Although Talya is a parent to a younger daughter, she is one of those parents who I wish had teens already as I reckon she would be that voice of wisdom. That one person you would go to for advice on how the hell to deal with them. Alas, she isn’t there yet but her answers to my questions are just so insightful and heartfelt that I just know that she is going to make the best mum of teens ever!
1. I know it’s a long way off but what are you dreading about your children becoming teens?
The high emotions, the broken hearts, the not knowing what to say and do to make them feel better, the potential mum hatred. I’m also worried because I know as a parent there is so much stuff that is basically out of your control and a lot of stuff you have no clue about – what they get up to with their friends, what happens when they go out at night, what happens at school – and that at the end of the day you’ve got to be there for them without getting yourself worked up into a total blithering state about all the crazy and wild times the teen years can bring with them.
2. What are you looking forward to?
Seeing my daughter on her transition to womanhood, hearing her opinions whether I like them or not, hopefully being able to spend quality time together in a more adult way. I hope I’ll be the mum that welcomes all the teen friends into the house, and who will be the mum they can all turn to, but I don’t know whether this is a total pipedream!
3. As a parent, what issues do you imagine are important when raising teens?
Gosh there are so many these days and I’m sure in ten years time when my daughter is a teen there will be even more! Body image and self esteem are a big one, and how to keep things real in this increasingly crazy virtual world we seem to be falling into more and more. I think it’s so important that teens feel as secure as possible because at the end of the day, we can’t shelter them from all the issues that are out there, but we can get them the self confidence and security to help them deal better with them.
4. What kind of parent do you think or hope (!) you’ll be when your children are in their teen years?
Well, I hope I will have mellowed out a bit by then else I’ll be on my way to a cardiac! I hope by then things will be a little bit more free and easy rather than striving as they are now. I’d like to embrace my inner hippy a bit more – but don’t want to end up like Eddie from Ab Fab!
5. Is there anything you’d like to say to your own parents before your children become teens or were you an angel?
I’m so sorry for being a total dickhead! Hormones have a lot to answer for. I’m also very pleased you only knew a small fraction of the story and I really hope karma doesn’t come and bite me hard on the ass (even though it most probably will).
6. Is there any advice that you would give your children before they get to the teen stage?
Don’t rush through childhood. Stay a child as long as you can. Know your worth and be an individual. And know that we are always for you not against you.
7. Do you envisage raising teens to be an easier stage than raising littles?
Hell no…..I remember what I was like as a teen and it wasn’t pretty!
Talya, thank you so much for taking part in this series. It was an honour to have you. Your advice you give in question 6 is beautiful. It’s so hard being a teen but also a parent to a teen that I’m feeling I need to print up this interview and leave a copy for each of mine to read. Don’t rush through childhood, know your worth and don’t think we are against you. Wonderful advice. See, I said that I knew you’d be full of words of wisdom! Talya, I hope that those teen years are a breeze and I am certain you won’t be too Eddie from Ab Fab!
If anyone else would like to take part in this series please get in touch. I’d be delighted to have you … just saying!
Talya blogs at Motherhood The Real Deal
and her twitter and instagram links are below:
Love the responses here from Talya. Those teenage years are going to be tough I’m sure! I have two girls and have similar worries and hopes for what our relationship will be like. I was a total nightmare as a teen though, eek! X #fortheloveofblog
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She’s just the guru of advice isn’t she?! Love her! Thank you so much for reading xx
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great idea for a series. We have both a six year old and an 18 year old and I’m not looking forward to going through all of this drama a second time. I keep telling myself that every kid is different! #familyfun
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Oh now you know what is to come I really don’t blame you!!
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I love this series, there isn’t enough about teens. Talya is just fab, love her answers. #stayclassymama
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Thank you so much! Talya is a total pro and I’m sure she will breeze those teen years!
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Really interesting post! My son is 4 soon so I’ve got a little way to go before I need to start worrying about the teen years but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it! #stayclassymama
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I’m sure it”’ be a dream. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment x
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Ahhh thanks so much for having me and linking this up to #coolmumclub my lovely xoxo
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It was a total pleasure my lovely!
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Ahh Tayla is definitely a true blogger. Always entertaining and well thought out, no different here. Love the advice she is giving. Think we will all take to teens when it happens!!
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She’s one of the greatest for sure!
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Forgot to say a big Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky 😍
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Eek got all this to come but really insightful and food for thought X #stayclassymama
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Thank you for reading and for your comment!!
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I think you are right Talya will sail through those teen years with that fabulous smile making it look oh so easy! #FamilyFun
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Oh won’t she just! Thank you for reading lovely xx
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What a wonderful series and a great way to connect with bloggers who still have young kids. I wish Talya the best with the teen years, I have no children but I was a test to my parents as a teen!
Thanks for joining us this week on #fortheloveofBLOG
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Thank you so much!
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I just love that, ‘know that we are always for not against you’. I think that is so spot on for teenagers as it can feel like the world and everyone in it is against you at times. I can certainly relate to wanting to find my inner hippy and chilling out by time the teen years approach, I think it’ll do us all some real favours. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun lovey xx
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I love this series and love Talya’s answers. I can relate so much. I too I’m looking forward to watching my children blossom into hopefully amazing and kind adults but I also think that I will have a hard time because just like Talya I don’t like having no control over events but of course I will have none and I just wish I am able to be there to support them along the way as much as they need without freaking out! Thank you so much for joining us at #StayCLassyMama x
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