What's a mother to do? Your daughter is 12 going on 13 and all of a sudden she knows everything, you know nothing and you are the uncoolest person on the planet. It's a common scenario, I think.
I have to say that I've been very fortunate in this regard. My daughter and I haven't had much mother-daughter conflict. According to "The Five Love Languages" if your daughter's love language is "quality time", you probably won't have many of these issues. Leah's favorite thing in the world is a "Mommy and Me Day" so she never shut me out. Knowing your child's love language may help you be truly heard.
Dr. Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages" describes different ways in which people perceive love. Some experts say communication is key to parenting. If so, communicating your love for your kids is the most important key of all. Besides quality time, Dr. Chapman identifies gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service and physical touch. Most of these categories are self explanatory but if you want more info you can Google "The Five Love Languages for Teens". I have found these concepts helpful in raising four very different children.
Other minor notions: take advice from the Galaxy Quest crew "never give up, never surrender". Don't take what they say personally. Know, without doubt, they want you to love them so keep saying it.
Kathy
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