Raising Older Teenagers

I've raised three of them (teenagers) that is, and truth be told it is like one giant roller coaster ride for me. I've read all kind of articles on how great it is, and how nightmarish it can be but in reality it's a crap shoot. There are tons of factors that will play into these years of course, but since I'm posting my opinion here we will go with my experience. 

I've raised my kids to be independent thinkers, meaning this: think for yourself don't just go with the flow. Now this translated during their teen years into pushing boundaries, challenging discussions on EVERYTHING, picking roads less traveled for career choices, and as much as it has pained me putting distance between me and them every now and then during the college years to make sure their views were their views and not mine. This was needed for them to grow and me.

Here is a factor that is debated at our house my last child is my son, and the other two are my daughters. My son is so different from both of them is it because he is the last child or because he is a boy? If you've ever meet him you would know it's just him, his personality, his thinking, etc. He doesn't just think outside the box sometimes I think he doesn't even see the box when solving a problem. When I asked him once if your friends were jumping off a bridge would you, his response was where's the bridge at? how deep is the water? are there bungee cords or a straight jump? (this question was just asked a few weeks ago).

My girls well they are opposites too. I am very fortunate because their opposing views on things they don't try to change the other one, but try to see things through different perceptions. The mountains that these two have climbed on their own journeys leave me in awe and amazement. 

There is no perfect book to tell you how to raise them to be great adults. Prayer daily is a must have. Communication, and yes even a little space. Let them make mistakes, teach them how to have fun doing things, unplug every now and then, especially at this age keep reminding them of basic principles, and at the end of the day sometimes it's still just a crap shoot.