7 ways that a summer heat wave is like raising teenagers

Table of Contents

It’s hot. Really, really hot, but I likely don’t have to tell you that. As many as 200 million Americans have been or soon will be sweating it out thanks to an oppressive heat wave. As I huddle in air conditioning and try to think only cool thoughts while rattling the ice cubes in my glass, I realized that a summer heat wave is like raising teenagers.

1. You know that unpleasantness is coming, but you don’t know exactly when it will hit.

Whether it’s sweltering temperatures or crazy mood swings, you worry that it will hit with a vengeance at an inopportune time. When you turn the calendar to June, you have a sense of trepidation, just like you do when as your kid blows out the candles on their 13th birthday cake.

2. You time your activities carefully.

Timing is everything. You don’t want to do much of anything during the heat of the day, just like you don’t want to ask a teenager a bunch of questions right before they’ve eaten.

3. You have a new appreciation for showers.

Few things make you thank the powers that be that you live in a time when running water is easily accessible like 90+ degree temperatures and puberty.

4. You start to romanticize the past.

There’s nothing like challenging conditions in the present to make you start viewing the past with rose-colored glasses. The Polar Vortex starts to seem downright lovely, never mind that there was frost coating your door handles inside the house (true story). The toddler years seem adorable as you realize that the public tantrums were somehow easier to deal with than the serious issues surrounding the teen years.

5. You know that it likely won’t kill you, but there are times when you think it might.

Keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. Sometimes, though, that is easier said than done. Also, self-care is hugely important.

6. Ice cream and cold beverages help.

7. You know that, some day, you’ll miss it.

Despite the challenges of summer and parenting, you know that there will come a day when you’ll miss either the heat or the hormones that have disrupted your one peaceful daily routine. It may be when the snow flies during another Polar Vortex. Or maybe it will be in a few years when the house is eerily quiet. But some day, you’ll miss this.

Prior Post: Parents sharing custody of kids this summer – I see you

You May Also Like: Brené Brown’s wonderful advice for parents of heartbroken teens

Don’t miss a post! Please subscribe to Between Us Parents’ safe, spam-free email list in the box in the top right corner of the page!

Please like Between Us Parents on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
BUP-Subscribe-2

Subscribe to our mailing list

Follow Me