Good: I’ve been riding my bike to work for the past few weeks. It feels so good! I got a new bike for my birthday (thanks baby!) and it is such a pleasure to ride. My route is about 5 miles long, across the river and through downtown. Portland is a pretty good place for bicyclists. There are lots of bike lanes and by and large drivers are pretty aware of bikes.
Predictable: Just when things are starting to settle down from the academic/fiscal year turnover, BAM! A new, giant project drops in my lap. One I’m not excited about. I may push it off on one of my staff…
Undecided: It’s looking more and more like my girlfriend’s niece will be moving in with us. She is spending a few days with us right now and discussions are continuing with all the adults in the family over whether or not she should move. I’m ambivalent about the whole thing, truth be told, because we would be giving up a lot of the easy parts of our daily life. We have talked about it a lot and I have told T that she is going to have to be the primary parent. She is going to have to sit down with the girl every day after school and help her with her homework. She’ll have to do the majority of the parent/teacher stuff. She’ll have to be the responsible one. Of course, I will be helping and contributing as well, but she will have to be in the driver’s seat.
We’ve had her at the house for the weekend and I’m already exhausted just by having to interact with another individual. We’ll adjust, of course, but it’s not going to be easy. Good thing she’s a pretty darned good kid. Issues, yes, but overall pretty good. I know that we will be doing a good thing by having her come and live with us, but it’ll be four years of parenting to get her through high school. Sigh.
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6 comments:
For as much as I am sad that my daughter will be leaving for college, I am not sure I would want to start the high school experience again. Exhausting.
Kudos for the bike riding!
None of us can ever really be prepared to be a parent, but it's different when you have a child from birth (and you're in your 20s) and dealing with that child as a teenager when you're in your 30s.
Being 50, set in your daily rhythms and personal space, then suddenly having a teenager around? Very true - it won't be easy. Good luck.
I've considered riding a bike to work. First, I have to get a bike. But since we're only a few miles from work, it wouldn't be too difficult. Although, there is the humidity to deal with. Getting to work as a sweatball is not too appealing.
What eb said! I think getting used to a teenager in the house when you're set in your patterns etc will be a challenge. Good luck with whatever you gals decide to do!
OMG, E, what a task you are possibly about to take on. I really don't think I could do it. After dealing with my daughter, I have such a hard time even being in the same room with a teenager, and that's a disservice to the great kids out there.
On the other hand, I'm in a totally different space now than I was when I was actually a parent, so who knows? And since you two won't actually BE her parents, the dynamic will be different.
I wish you and T the best and feel free to vent with me if you ever need to!
Oh, and congrats on riding the bike to work! Go you!
GG
It might turn into something truly rewarding and fulfilling - you just never know. I think you're an incredible person, changing this girl's life the way you are. She's lucky to have you.
Thanks for all of the support and love! It'll be an adventure, that's for sure...
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