Sitting in the passenger seat while my just turned 15-year-old crawls into the driver seat I felt excited, proud and a little giddy. Nervousness only ran through my body for her, in the moment of starting something new. Knowing she would make mistakes, while I also know she is smart, quick to think through things and pays attention. What an honor to help coach her into the next chapter of her life.

She smiled, giggled and then became serious as she adjusted her mirrors, seat and learned where everything was to set out into our neighborhood. I felt this wave of emotions within my body, a sense of calm, happiness and great joy as I watched her. She is truly a beautiful woman that has so much to offer this world already. The feeling went beyond pride, into awe-inspiring to witness who she is.

Flicking the blinker on, checking all the mirrors and glancing out the window, she began to press the gas and off we went for her first driving lesson. A few more lessons have been underway since this moment and I could not help but wonder why the stigma around teenage driving is so scary, creating tensions between parents and full of anxiety. This is like their first step all over again, yet it is literally their first step into adulthood.

Cheering, support, unconditional love and encouragement should remain the same as when they were first learning to walk. Why are “teenagers” (specifically girls) perceived as being so difficult? Perhaps we do not see them as emerging adults that have far more to offer than a messy room, sleeping in late and lots of demands? Perhaps we as adults had a difficult relationship with our parents during this time and figure this is simply how it must be?

I want to challenge this stereo type. I might just eat these words as my younger daughter comes into this same age, while I am also fully prepared to. I feel like it is an internal dance; knowing when to back off and when to push a little more. We have a society that limits them daily and has pre-judgments everywhere they go. As a parent we can do better, we can step forward with them as the wise teacher with love and tears of joy to share the moments.

I wrote this with caution, as I know parenting is difficult. While I also wrote this with intention, knowing we can do better as a society, even those who are not parents. See these young adults for who they are, empower them into becoming productive, loving, compassionate community members. Break down the walls of “teenager” stereo types and lift them up as beautiful beings shedding light into the world, even if they are grumpy, demanding, sassy little shits. 😉

Sometimes I feel like a teenager, yet my brain is not evolving and growing at the same rate as theirs, so what is my excuse? Love and gratitude to the up and coming souls who will change our world far beyond my imagination!