When my son hit adolescence the the atmosphere in my home began to change.
Because Case is our first teenager we are experiencing a new chapter in our family. There is a subtle feeling of malcontent among us. At first I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Casey being such a good kid is never openly disrespectful and he is never combative. Nothing in his behavior directly points to a concrete problem. The only indication of trouble was an aura of dissention. It took some time, but I finally realized that part of the process of becoming a man entailed "finding" his place as an adult in our home. His "aura", if you will, has encouraged a just as subtle counter response in his stepfather, my husband, Kory. This delicate new presence in our home manifests itself in two different ways.
The ever-present male playfulness known popularly as "rough-housing" has taken on a much more serious tone. There appears to be a real sense of "winning" or "losing" these impromptu wrestling matches, while formally there was no such distinction in the outcome. Casey has also been challenging decisions made by us regarding him, albeit respectfully. As difficult this transition is to endure, I now recognize it as a important component in Casey's rite of passage into adulthood. Thank goodness he and Kory have a wonderfully strong bond. I know because of the love and respect they share we will survive this new parental challenge and Case will become the man he is destined to be.
