A Not Very Fond Farewell to 2014

Well, that was the year that was and now it’s nearly over.

My year ends more with a whimper than a bang.

We had some shocking behaviour in the household from our rebellious Teen15 last week. It’s hard to take teenage shenanigans too seriously in a week that has seen so much devastation and heartbreak, so many wasted lives and bitter tears shed.

Inviting ‘friends’ round, drinking several years underage, having police called and being so drunk you get taken to hospital – at 15, mind you – is actually a mere bagatelle compared to what many families are facing this Christmas and New Year.

(Where were the parents? I hear you ask… we and the other kids were away for a couple of days, leaving our French au pair, a mature and sensible 22 years old in charge, but she went to sleep and….. oh don’t ask.)

We’ve had quite a few ups and downs with our independent, rebellious Teen15 this year. 14 – 16 are the worst years we hear. Let’s hope so.  I’ll be re-reading ‘Yes Your Teen is Crazy” when we’re away, I can tell you. 

There have been many sticky moments this year, as well as the very lovely ones, all noted in my blog post about 2014’s Best Travels.

In the spirit of unbiased reporting here are some of the low moments of 2014:

  • I realise that I really can’t manage this FIFO lifestyle anymore and it can just F… Off
  • Mum having a hip op in Scotland which was OK but she was really unwell afterwards and it feels TERRIBLE to be so far away
  • Teen17 being on the receiving end of some really nasty online bullying.
  • Teen15 is thrilled to get in with the wrong crowd, stays out all night with his phone off and pays his first visit to the police station
  • The day we saw the school counsellor, a psychologist and a paediatrician all in the one day – FFS.
  •  The sudden hideous attacks of Islamic State, who got far too close to where our International Man of Mystery works
  • The cat nearly dying of a tick bite
  • The bill from the vet that saved her
  • My bout of real anxiety – thank you menopause

Hmmm… I am feeling as if every single area of my life needs a good declutter, especially the old brain.

So we’re off to our lovely wee beach house at gorgeous Jervis Bay and I’m intending to have a big #christmasswitchoff.

If anyone has advice on how to switch off teens and then switch them on again once they’re about 25, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Yours feeling a bit overwhelmed and somewhat glum. But there’s Christmas pudding and dark chocolate macadamia nuts ahead, so all is not lost.

And really, I love seeing the big boys growing up and getting more independent. The downsides make me cherish the wee ones more, and it’s hard to believe they will ever be big and sweaty and hairy  or grow bosoms and a bad attitude.

It’s all part of life’s tapestry, and it’s also revenge for the grief I gave my own family as a teenager.

And all in all, we are so so lucky, to be here on the planet and even better to be here in the very beautiful coastline of Australia.

Anyway, excuse the rambling.

May your holiday season be merry and bright, and here’s hoping it’s even a bit restive as well as festive.

Much goodwill from this household to yours.

Catch you after the New Year, happy Hogmanay too.

Love from