Journal Entry No. 48 | Clip N' Climb | Klutch Photography | Vancouver family photographer

Anyone who owns a 13 year old teenage GIRL will totally understand me when I say “WTF has happened to my sweet kid”! They literally creatures from another planet, and that planet is called “Parents are idiots, and we know EVERYTHING”. They start residing on the planet once they enter high school (give or take a few months maybe even a year). Everything is blah, or NO, or eww, and don’t get me started on the body language that accompanies these words.

So finding something, an activity (away from the phone, tv or computer) that works for both kids of different ages to do “together” is nearly impossible. #thestruggleisreal -painful!

This past weekend princess “Blahnoeww”, as she will be named for this post wanted to grace us with her presence! Being her doting disciples, we grinned with eagerness, and with bated breath as to what we would do together!

“PB” suggested we attend Clip N’ Climb, it was located right beside TSS. Which worked out great as my youngest most normal child (I swear I would never have thought in a million years that my dramatic child would end up being the “normal” one, yet here we are) goes there on Saturday mornings. “PB” even wanted to see her little cousins as well, so plans were made, fast. We all know how teenagers like something one minute and literally dislike it within the next 60 seconds!

Clip N’ Climb located in Richmond was amazing! The way they’ve set it up with scheduled times that leaves you about an hour to climb up all these creatively done walls. Totally safe, from my safety police credentials. Our whole crew was a big fan, ages 5 through 13, even the adults were a little jelly they didn’t sign up (insert hand up over here). The cost about $14-20 per kids, then you start a punch card for more value down the road. You can race people, time yourself on some of the climbs, and take some great leap of faiths!

NOTE: My youngest would like to advise you that you really should wear pants. Sadly, she had a ferocious case of hungry bum because she wore shorter shorts and those straps are fitted in all the wrong places. Just saying. lol. #Truth.

So parents with 13 year olds, this might be a family outing option for all your people, praise the lord. Amen!

Journal Entry No.39 | Klutch Photography| Vancouver family photographer

" I want to make some money for candy!" says as my youngest as she storms into our room at 7:15 am in the morning bolting open the door.

My first thought is WHY THE FUCK are you awake right now on a Saturday morning?  I almost always have to wake you for school each morning to get you there on time. Seriously child!?

"I will shovel the snow for 18 dollars, deal?" she's quite confident and was almost telling me as a matter a fact!

"Bahahaha, Ahh... NO!" I reply like I'm bartering with a street vendor in Mexico. "5 dollars, take it or leave it"!

"Fine, but that's not going to buy me enough candy!" as she jumps into my arms in bed.

Here's the thing, I don't pay for chores. They make their beds, clean bathrooms, vacuum, dishwasher, garbage etc. and it's all part of life without being paid for it!  Helping out allows them to enjoy the OTHER amazing things that we provide for them, like going to Mexico this spring break (hence why she wants some cash to buy candy for the flight). Doing life chores that are skills they will need to have as an adult should not be "paid" to accomplish. 

But I will pay you for "other chores" such as picking up other peoples inconsiderate dog poopings left on our lawn!  And, in this case, shovelling snow! I also pay for grades because, for me, this is your real job for the next 10+ years. 

Hard work never hurt anyone and I love her spirit to make money because she's also asked to remove the poop for cash! YUK but good for you here's the gloves and a shovel, go make that poop rain on the street! I feel this is a character trait that not many kids have these days, a willingness to do the job, good old fashion grit. So I was proud of the high price initial offer and the will to get it done!  I might tip her with a little extra for her entrepreneurial spirit!

#workingforit

#grit

#lifeunscripted

Klutch's Instgram Feeb

Journal Entry No. 37 | Klutch Photography | Vancouver family photographer

NO TV FOR A WEEK  (or for the rest of the day)!!! 

This is my go-to punishment for most things including when they're taking advantage of watching to much TV!  I find when my kids are binging on TV for long stretches, their less co-operative, snappy, bored more often and kind of like human zombies!

It's not an easy punishment to deal with, they're like addicts, and they don't know what to do with themselves for the first few days then they settle into creativity. WHICH I LOVE.  They remember their board games and start to play them, read, paint, go on hikes, play outside (I know right, shocking!). This past weekend they made a couture dress from recyclables! French chic as they told me!

Guess what; I'm ok with being the mean mom because I'm not here to be their best friend I'm here to make them into kind, savvy, independent ladies!  

Here's to being a bad mom and letting their boredom rise their creativity higher!

DINA'S INSTAGRAM