Four reasons to hug my teen today:

[Jane in NC]

4) He did not protest when I told him that his writing assignment was "generic", that it lacked a single phrase of sparkle which jumped off the page. He just nodded, agreed, and went off to rewrite.

3) He did not protest when asked to do a proof by induction on his math test, although he admitted the technique seemed to be "sleight of hand" (which is how I have also perceived this).

2) He spent his lunch time reading the business/money pages of the newspaper--the state of the economy being a new found interest.

1) He's a nice kid.

So I'll go hug the Boy. Now tell me why your teen deserves a hug (or two) today.

[Beth in SW WA]

He wanted a hug when he got up this morning. And a kiss :)

He ready Count Of Monte Cristo at breakfast.

He's Mr. Nice Guy today because he wants to go to guitar lessons/worship practice at 2:30. I love Wednesdays :)

[Annie G]

My 16 year old is sick with a sinus infection, complete with a swollen face. She got up this morning and started her German assignments even though she felt like crawling back into bed. She's a keeper.

[Needleroozer]

The Boy:
1. He was willing to engage in a conversation about sex/dating this morning, and didn't even roll his eyes or give me a heavy sigh.
2. He heard himself start to talk back to me, corrected himself, and asked for my forgiveness without prompting.
3. He saw his sister start to get cranky, put his arm around her, and talked her down.

The Girl:
1. Is hormone-ridden, has a cold, and is in a foul humour. We will just keep hugging her until she can't stand it,lol.
2. She skipped 8th grade this year, and is working harder than I have ever seen her on her 9th grade work. Very commendable.

[Brenda in MA]

1. Last night, he went to the local meal center and washed dishes for two hours without complaint.

2. This morning, he told me that he was worried about the lack of concrete expectations in his cc English class and said he was going to talk to the prof about it.

3. He went off willingly to cc this morning, even though it's a grey day here and he didn't feel motivated.

4. He sent me an email from cc letting me know that he would need help with his math assignment this afternoon so I can better plan my time.

He's a keeper....
Brenda

[Blue Hen]

1) Just because.

2) He's here, he's working on his assignments, and this is where he wants to be.

3) While doing his AP Stat quiz (I teach the online course) he suggested how to change the wording on one to make the question clearer. I listened.

And he's a keeper for sure.

Carole

[BritAnnia]

My dd(18)

1) Because she drives one brother to school each morning, and collects her other brother from school in the afternoon. Everyday. (I don't drive)
2) Because she worked until 3am (!!!!!!!!!!) and still got up in time to leave for classes at college and drive her brother to school (see #1) at 7am this morning.
3) Because she just voted today for the first time EVER and she's feeling really grown-up and pleased with herself. :D
4) Because she's a fantastic friend, daughter, and person. I love her madly!

Having said that, I'm not hugging on her today because I've got a bad cold. :tongue_smilie:

[Michelle in MO]

1.) Oldest daughter studied for AP US History midterm for four hours night before last, and again for two hours yesterday a.m.

2.) Oldest daughter also typed an essay for a topic in which she had no vested interest, and strove to make it the best she possibly could. Another 4 a.m. morning; she's exhausted (I am, too! :) ).

3.) Oldest daughter, who is somewhat shy but has a lovely singing voice, gave an impromptu "recital" for a new voice student yesterday evening.

4.) Middle daughter helped with chores this morning without complaining and "attitude".

Good reminders, everyone! Hug your teens (and younger ones) today! :)

[Bev in B'ville]

I hugged them today because they hugged me first. They've seen how hard I've been working over the past few days and just thought I needed a hug this morning. It worked; it usually does.

Hugged my son because he's trying very hard this year to step up his efforts for high school level work. Latin is now his favorite subject!

Hugged my daughter because she is a hard working, organized kid who gives me very little grief for a teenager and has a kind heart.

[Valerie(TX)]

4) because he really needs a hug
3) because he really needs a hug
2) because he really needs a hug
1) because he really needs a hug


When one is in a pickle of one's own making, one needs love more than ever!




That is all

[FloridaLisa]

What a great thread, Jane.

Teen #1:
1. He took little brother to football last night;
2. He's been working steadily all day in his room today;
3. He just showed me his gopher tortoise he's been keeping for 2 weeks in our back yard. :tongue_smilie:

Teen #2:
1. She had four teeth pulled yesterday;
2. She has been working steadily all day but played with littles for 20 min. while I taught Latin;
3. She is consistently sweet and helpful.

Teen #3:
1. He's outside entertaining 3 pre-K boys with a game of football;
2. He agreed he needs a haircut;
3. He carried my debate stuff into class and packed it back on his own.
(And he's worked steadily today as well!)

Yes, a good reminder that most days are filled with good fruit.

Lisa

[Nan in Mass]

Oldest - not a teen anymore but still needing hugs and lots of unconditional love. Unfortunately, I can't hug him because he is far away. I only wish I could.

Middle one - Despite being late for gymnastics last night and hurrying us out of the house, he didn't sound even the least bit annoyed when I told him we were going to be even later because I had just discovered that we needed to stop for gas. He is amazing. He is dutifully studying for his CC tests Fri. without me saying a word. I didn't even know he had tests until he said he would love to come to the costume shop with his younger brother (he adores costumes) to look for a skeleton mask, but he had tests Fri. That was Tues. Despite being totally stressed from his college interview Sat., he didn't show any of it until 10 minutes ahead of time, and he continued to be polite and cheerful until we got home from the cousins we were staying with Sun. night. And by Tues, he was his cheerful self again, even though I can tell by how hard it is to wake him in the morning that he's still very tired.

Youngest - Is still trying hard to get contact lenses into his eyes after a week of daily visits to the eye doctor, and even said that today's rather odd (but very nice) optician must have be a coach because he did a great job, instead of "taking a skunner" the way many teens might. Went happily off to help his grandfather with chores this afternoon. Redid his hated word problems three times, even the ones he'd gotten right, as extra practice, just because I asked him to, without a peep. Tried hard to listen while we read the constitution aloud, even though it is terribly boring for him and he hates it, and contributed to the discussion and even made a joke to try to make the whole thing more fun for us. Didn't object to taking the notes that I wanted him to take. Didn't squawk when it took us 40 minutes to translate 3 sentences of Latin this morning. And was ever so careful to place his chair back far enough from the woodstove that the dog didn't overheat when she sat on his feet, even though he was freezing.

The younger two I can at least hug. They even like hugs!
-Nan

[Jean in Wisc]

Teen 1
He's keeping on schedule with all his classes this year (Yeah!)
He's decided he wants to do physics, so he's doing Apologia Chem in double time--one chapter/week.
He did his father's farm chores--he willingly runs the farm whenever dad is traveling for work.

Teen 2
Gets up early so that he can be done with school by lunch time!
Has decided that he wants to have this spine surgery, and has a good attitude towards it (don't think I'd have such a good one!), even though the fusion is going to take a full year to happen, and he will miss out on things like Civil Air Patrol encampment, Cross Country competition, showing cattle in 4-H...

Hug 'em.
J

[Gwen in VA]

Dd1 -- because she called when she was down this morning and ended with a "I'm glad you're there...." (What an encouragement to me!)

Ds1 -- because even though he doesn't see the need to keep in close touch, he is calling weekly because dh and I asked him to.....We so appreciate that!

Ds2 --
1) He is such a joy to watch kiting
2) He is willing to work oh-so-hard to make sure I will take him kiting on Wednesdays
3) He is really trying to understand stuff
4) He tells ME that I am a keeper! :)
5) He tells me often that I am a great cook! :D (I'm not so sure about that!)

Dd2 --
1) She doesn't complain about having to test her blood sugar -- and she did it 14 times on Sunday!
2) She comes up and gives me hugs
3) She smiles a lot!
4) She finds algebra challenging, but she keeps on going.

Seriously, this is a GREAT thread. I nearly cried reading about what sweet kids we have!

And we do need to encourage them and tell them how wonderful we think they (usually thought not always) are.

[mama25angels]

Wow, everyone of those made me cry, here's mine:

dd
4. Because it's that time of the month
3. She went to the grocery store with me
2. Because I was annoyed at someone else and took it out on her and she never said a word.

1. Because she very happily changes he baby brothers' cloth diapers

ds
4. Because he did his math while I was at the store with no complaints
3. He unloaded the grocery, dishwasher and took out the trash with no complaints

2. Because he makes me oatmeal :lol:
1. Because he changed the baby's diaper today

[anissarobert]

#1 Because she does chores and helps with her siblings.

#2 Because she keeps working in Apologia Biology even though she is not a science kid!

#3 Because she is in charge of cleaning the litter box!

[Nan in Mass]

Ha! I actually managed to get stars attatched to this thread!

[Jane in NC]

Our kids are great. We often come to this forum with questions, concerns or success stories, but not always the everyday business of another day of homeschooling.

This thread confirms that our choice (homeschooling) has solidified our bond with our children, an added bonus beyond the academics.

With the uncertainty of economic markets and the angst of politics, isn't it wonderful that we have our kids in arm's reach to remind us that all is well in our immediate world.

Hugs to all of you, my virtual friends.
Jane

[Laurel-in-CA]

dd-16
4) Because she keeps her temper so well with her ADHD sister, who shares her room
3) Because she's using her talents to do slides & backgrounds for announcements @ church
2) Because she feeds the pets without reminders
1) Because she just finished her art portfolio for college apps and it's GORGEOUS

ds-14
4) Because he's working hard on latin even tho' he doesn't like the program
3) Because he's willing to make something besides blades in his ceramics class...maybe even something pretty, for Mom?
2) Because he *has* plans, ambitious plans for the future - architecture!
1) Because he has questions ready for our college tour today (Cal Poly, Pomona)

Lots of additional reasons to hug 5yo dd (she has her first wiggling tooth! no more baby!!!) and more to hug the prickly, loud, messy 11yo who needs it muchly.

[Sharon in MD]

Why to hug my teen son today:

1. He likes hugs and generously gives them to me
2. He's a super kid and I really like him as well as love him KWIM?
3. He has become much more of an independent learner this year.
4. He is really working hard on getting all the college applications ready to launch .
5. He won't be around here to hug much next year :crying:

[Karin]

dd 13
Because she's playing outside with her siblings nicely.
Because while Monday she was sure she could barely swim 3000 yard, Friday she told me she needed a 3500 yard workout or she'd "die" (but she was slow getting ready & didn't have time to finish, but will next time.)
Because she just needs it and was relatively cheerful this morning, and she is not a morning girl.

My others aren't teens yet, but they got hugs, too, and got them:001_smile:. There are also days when they get hugged because they need to be hugged, but not because they "deserve" it, so the reasons are very different than today!

[Margaret in CO]

I hugged mine for a long time very early this morning, when she found out that an 18yo 4-H friend died. He was drunk, fell, hit his head, went to bed and never woke up. Hug all those teens extra close tonight; Jake's funeral is on Wednesday.

[Blue Hen]

Oh Margaret this is so sad. I'm sorry that you're dd has to go through this. I did too at her age and it is really sad, so hard to lose a friend at such a young age. Even all these years later I still think of my friend Bill Duffy.

Carole

[RhondaM.]

For being my knees. Mine are getting really bad so he is so wonderful about getting down and doing the things that are hard for me.

For setting the coffee pot up for me in the evenings without even being asked...so that in the morning all I have to do is hit 'on'.