I canvas the room looking at the trappings of childhood. Random stuffed animals piled into large plastic tubs, Rectangular prisms of dozens of board games stacked in a short bookshelf and translucent containers carrying Beanie Babies, dolls, toy horses, Easter baskets and picture books.

The children who played with these things have grown into teenagers and discarded these items in favor of various forms of increasingly more expensive technology such as laptop computers, Ipods, video game consoles and cell phones that are much more than simple telephones. Surveying the multi-purpose room that functions as a bedroom, closet and office I know that I only contributed to this materialistic glut.

The only thing that saved me from financial ruin was the fact that as my children grew, so did the cost of the things that would make them happy. The price tags only increased as my children aged and finally I had to just put a limit on want I could and could not buy them. But it was not easy as their every want and need has been my focus for the last 20 years.

The emotional and physical stability of these once tiny creatures I have taken upon myself as a warrior going to battle.

I wiped their bottoms and running noses. I nursed my babies to sleep and held them close vowing to protect them forever. I soothed hurt feelings and flesh wounds. I held tiny baby teeth in my hand and was the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.

Then there was time, it was hard to pinpoint exactly when, where I was gradually needed in a different way.

I was not the only person in their life who could help and calm my former babies, now teens. They became products of the world and have a network of friends, teachers and allies to talk to them about life's ups and downs.

What is more they have MySpace and Facebook and the technology of mass communication with which to interact.

I still have the sleepless nights but for different reasons. I am worried about my teenagers out on the road late at night as they travel home. I still give advice but then so do their all "knowing" friends.

I wonder what the value of my advice is now worth. Parenting teenagers is more complicated as I have lost total control of what they do and who they see.

I can only hope that the lessons and values they learned as small children will continue to influence them strongly and outweigh the pressures of their peers. I now must be the silent beacon of light guiding them home.

Learn more about this author, Juliane Elliott.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Changing guidance with the growth of children?
We want to hear your view. Write now!