No matter how old your children are, the parenting and teaching never really stops. The only difference is the type of issues you’re required to deal with.

Take my week, for example.

My youngest, 12 year-old H, is negotiating the entry into his teen years and the wilds of puberty. Mood swings have made their presence felt and the non-committal grunt has surfaced far more regularly in his speech repertoire. We go from one extreme to the next: one minute I’m talking him down off a metaphorical anxiety ledge, the next we are jumping around with joy because he’s brought a note him advising me he’s receiving his SIXTH Principals Award at this Friday’s assembly. Woo hoo!

Middle son, 14 year-old M, is currently in Fiji living the dream (on holidays with his best mate and his family) so it’s been so VERY quiet at home. I’ve washed much less and the ice-cream is lasting a lot longer in the freezer. He’s home Thursday and I CAN’T WAIT to have him back. We’ve all missed his cheeky face.

Then there’s my eldest boy, N. He’s 23 and still living at home although he did move out for 18 months or so before coming back. It was just long enough for us to miss him, I think. Currently without a licence (that’s a very long story) I’ve gained another regular customer for Mum’s Taxi Service. He’s your typical young man, likes to enjoy his free time with his mates by going out and having fun. Until it’s not fun. Yesterday we spent 5 hours in the hospital emergency department; N had managed to cut his hand rather badly during his travels the night before. As soon as I saw it, I knew it needed stitches. I was right. He needed six, as it later turned out. And a tetanus needle while they were at it. He’s fine, his hand a bit sore but he’s more or less okay.

It’s an absolute roller coaster, this parenting gig, isn’t it? You never know what’s around the corner. Or when the next big dip is coming! So I think today’s musical selection for this Monday is an apt one, given my past week, don’t you?

Happy Mondays, everyone.