More on Malibu OR On Parenting a Teen

Child #2 and I spent the weekend in Malibu.

The two of us alone, miles away from the others, is not a common occurrence in our family. However, Child #2 wanted to attend a water polo camp at Pepperdine College, but didn't want to stay in the dorms. So, we cooked up a scheme where we rented a hotel room nearby and I wrote and wandered around town during the day while he water polo'ed in the Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Child #2 turns 15 later this summer. I suspect I won't get many more requests for weekends like this, so I jumped on the opportunity.

Child #2 is my most easy-going, mellow child. He arrived into this world two weeks late and has meandered through life happy and content, a glass-half-full kind of kid. He is brilliant in and out of school, has an excellent sense of humour, chooses friends wisely and has a thoughtful, pleasant personality.

We had a delightful weekend together, separating in the mornings for our individual activiies, then coming together in the early evenings for food, a chat, a rented movie.

But it wasn't perfect.

Now, there's an edge to some of his remarks, a stony stubborn look when I offer advice, a more careful, selective sharing of details about himself and his friends.

Child #2 is becoming a teen.

I'm not really ready, having already travelled down this path with Child #1.

But I'm very happy to have gotten the gift of this weekend in Malibu.