The Joys of Adolescence

Although children do not come with an instruction manual, I am convinced that when they reach a certain age there must be a secret book that they read while parents are asleep or something cause inevitably they start to behave alike! This is the case with adolescence. The magic number seems to be 12. They think they know more than you and want to be independent. However, they still want to leave the lights on at night and be reassured you are there when they get home from school. It is kind of sweet if you think about it. They still need you...they just don't want to admit it.
My daughter who has Wilson's Disease is at that age right now. One of my biggest challenges at the moment seems to be getting her to take her medication. All of a sudden she doesn't want to be compliant! Her meds are expensive!! That is why it really bothers me when I see pills lying on the table or counter hours after I give them to her to take. Of course that is not the only thing that bugs me. The fact is that these meds are what keeps her healthy. Without them she could potentially have liver failure. She would most definitely get sick. However, at this age most kids feel invincible. There is nothing that can happen to them. Thank goodness for parents. Right?
I have been doing my job well...probably too well. She hasn't felt the pain associated with having a diseased liver. In her mind she cannot comprehend getting sick. I have to admit that sometimes I forget too. Days go by and I realize that she has not taken her meds. The one time I usually get vigilant is probably about the time she is due for her checkup at the Children's Hospital with her GI and Liver Specialists. It is a yearly reminder for all our family of that elephant in the room.
If any of you reading this are having issues with your adolescent or pre-adolescent then please know you are not alone. Our grandparents went through it. Our parents went through it. We are going through it, and our children will definitely go through it with their own kids. It is a rite of passage for us just as much as them. They say attitude is everything. Let us find joy in the journey.

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If you look hard enough, there is joy
to be found in everything...including
trials.
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