Dealing With "Distaste Face"

While on vacation I was reminded of a commercial. This commercial was about a family on vacation and the mom catching her teen daughter actually smiling when she thought her parents weren't looking. (I wish I could remember the commercial - was it for Disney Vacations? Or, some kind of cruise thingy? I don't recall.) The message of a somewhat grumpy teen only putting on her "distaste face" around her family has obviously stuck with me, and I'm glad.

We are having the sweetest family time on the Oregon Coast and I have finally learned that it isn't my job to make my 14 year old happy. Or, better yet, for her to show her happiness when I'm looking. I've given her enough tools, enough opportunities to find some kind of joy in what we're doing, and if she chooses to share her "distaste face" when I say 'Let's go try to fly this kite!' Or, 'Your sand castle looks great!' then that is exactly that, her choice.

Now, I hope I can remember this "choice" thing the next time I plan something and she appears grumpy. Here's hoping!

Do you have a way of coping when your teen seems to be unhappy while the rest of you are having a great time? Please share!

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Ever dream of having a day when you receive breakfast in bed, not one lick of housework is done - by you! - and the weather matches the mood of the day, which is 'lovely'. Well, I had such a day on Mother's Day and I am so grateful to my family. ( Could we do it again soon? I vote 'yes! ') How was your weekend? Do tell. I'm so happy to be a guest host for the blog hop Turn It Up Tuesday. Add your blog link and meet some terrific Bloggers! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy Mother's Day!!!! What did you moms out there do today? We'd love to hear it! Share it here on Turn It Up Tuesday! Welcome to the 34th week of Turn It Up Tuesday! Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be! As you may know, Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic...and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome b

My Questions Answered By Chef Pati Jinich - Video

Rob and I have been focusing on finding foods and spices that will help us take some weight off. I've been slightly obsessed with staying on my exercise track (on week 8 now :->) and hope to get rid of this jiggly belly that has become wa-a-a-ay too comfortable on my body. The older you get the harder it is to lose weight. What I would say to my 40 year old self - 'See that pouch starting? Do your crunches and planks now! 7 years from now it's going to get ugly !' I've found that spices cumin, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and turmeric are noted to increase metabolism. ( Yes please !) After a good workout coconut water is more beneficial in regulating your electrolytes, and lower in calories, than sports drinks. It also contains more potassium than other drinks which is an important component in helping to build muscle which, in turn, helps you burn more calories. And my most surprising discovery - eating avocados help burn belly fat! I&#

Ann Again...and again

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