But what if you never have anything nice to say?

I’ve been struggling with a heavy dose of teen-attude the last few weeks – more so than previously.

After my kids begged me to allow them to return to public school, so they could participate in the sports they love and return to the social scene they realized they loved, I agreed to let them return – but with strict rules in place.

They’ve adapted quite well to the re-entry and it seems their friends are excited to see them back. However, the return has caused a great deal of competition between two of the boys.

I didn’t realize the one boy had enjoyed his ‘alone’ time and individuality at school so much while the other two were being homeschooled. I don’t think he did either though.

Now that they other two have started back, it seems to have opened a huge can of worms where rumors are being started about one another in attempt to back mutual friends into a corner and force them to “pick a favorite” almost.

Having grown up in a home where my only sibling died after a lifelong illness and then in a house where my parents adopted a child 10 years younger, I’m not familiar with sibling rivalry and frankly it’s driving me NUTS!

I don’t find it normal – I don’t think it’s something that should be ignored and allow the kids to work it out – I think it’s rude and unacceptable and have to speak up when I see tensions growing.

Surely I’m not the only one. I must be ultra sensitive to tension – because stress of any kind in my house sends me into a depression and makes me physically ill to the point where nothing seems to work besides sleep.

I cannot imagine having 6, 8 or 18 kids – Dear God I would never survive!