Tips on Surviving Teenage Daughterhood: Riding the Rollercoaster with Love

Raising a teenage daughter is like a never-ending rollercoaster ride, full of twists and turns! And let me tell you, as a mom who first raised a son, I’m feeling the thrill all over again. (I honestly hate roller coasters though).

While my son was all about rough and tumble, my daughter is a girly girl through and through – my wallet can attest to that! But hey, that’s the beauty of parenting, right? Every child is different and every journey is unique.

Let’s buckle up and get ready for a wild ride with these tips to keep your parenting game strong!

Communication is Key

Thank goodness for our tight bond! My daughter spills the tea on everything, well almost everything (we’ll talk about boys later). It’s like having front-row seats to a school drama and juicy gossip with her teachers and friends. Happily, she’s part of a tight knit squad where I know all the parents. These girls get together once a month for some epic sleepovers!

Last weekend was our turn. 10 girls belting out Niki Minaj’s My Anaconda until 3 am! A party for them, and a restless sleep for me…..

The next morning I was put in charge of breakfast. But no basic toast and juice for these girls, oh no! I put together a 3-foot charcuterie board (made from foam board covered in contact paper) with homemade waffles I previously made and froze, ready to bake croissants from Monastery Bakery, cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon, topped with fresh berries and, of course, Nutella! Brunch goals, am I right?!

Families Who Play Together, Stick Together

Spending quality time with your teenage daughter can be a challenge, but what better way to bond than through physical activity? Whether it’s taking a dance class together or going for a hike, staying active is a fun way to release stress, stay healthy, and make memories.

Let me tell you about my daughter’s latest obsession: embarrassing me with mother/daughter Tik Tok dances and “Be Real” moments. According to her, I look “cute.” I beg to differ.

On Sundays, my daughter and I like to indulge in our passion by whipping up some delicious treats. But here’s the catch: we give them mostly away! So true….we bake up a storm just so we won’t be tempted to eat it all ourselves. (Who are we kidding, we totally would!)

Our go-to dessert is my Bananarama Bread Recipe, which is the moistest, scrumptious banana bread you’ll ever try!

And when we add Nutella to it- it’s like heaven in every bite, a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Trust me, once you try it, there’s no going back.

Give Her Independence, But with a Piece of Mind

Moms, the struggle is real! I recently let my daughter take public transportation on her own to meet her friends at the mall. Thank goodness for cell phones, because let me tell you, I was calling her every 5 minutes until she reached her destination. I also have a tracking device secretly added to her phone. I think I’ll tell her in a few years once she turns 18.

Okay, I’ll spill the beans, my daughter totally knows about the app I use to track her every move. Life360 is worth every penny of the $5.49/month just for the peace of mind it brings me. Who wouldn’t want to know their kid is safe and sound at all times, right? With Life360, I can see where she is, who she’s with, and even get alerts if she’s driving too fast (I’m looking at you, Miss Lead Foot!).

But don’t worry, we’ve got an agreement in place. I promise not to helicopter parent her too much, and she promises to keep me in the loop about her whereabouts. It’s all about trust, communication, and a little bit of technology.

So, if you’re a worried parent like me, I highly recommend Life360. It’s like having a personal GPS for your child, and it will give you the peace of mind you need to let them spread their wings and fly. Go ahead, give it a try!

Offer Support

Are you ready to rock the teenage daughter game? The key to success is showing them some serious support. From dealing with school dramas to navigating the wild world of teenage relationships, our daughters need to know we’ve got their back. And don’t forget to let your hair down and share your own struggles – it’ll show them that life is one big adventure we’re all on together

My daughter was dealing with this total narcissistic monster of a teacher and asked me for advice. I told her to play it cool and give her a good ol’ stare down next time she started acting up. Boom! Never heard about Ms. Frankenstein again.

With some extra TLC (and maybe a glass of wine or two), you can form a bond with your teenage daughter that will last a lifetime (and beyond!). It’s all about finding common ground, understanding their struggles, and being their biggest cheerleader (even when they don’t want you to be).

So, let’s raise a toast to all the parents out there raising teenage girls. We may be outnumbered, but we’re not outmatched. With love, support, and a little bit of humor, we’ll conquer anything that comes our way. Cheers!

For a great book on raising teenage daughters, I highly recommend “Mom’s Guide” Parenting Your Teenage Daughter by Tammy Cobbs

And for more inspiration this movie adapted by Judy Bloom is a must watch!

Share your ways of handling your teenage daughter and let’s swap some stories and tips!