Example Essay REVISED

I've really noticed a change in my oldest son, lately. He will turn
15 in a month, and is a freshman in high school.
A year ago he was completely different. He argued about every-
thing. He didn't want to do chores, he talked on the phone when
asked not to, he hated our ground rules about dating. He could
not understand why he couldn't ride around with his 19 year
old cousin and hang out. He certainly hated his curfew and
mouthed off to us for the first time in his life. We thought we'd
never make it past this stage. But now things have turned around.
He's becoming such a remarkable young man. We're amazed at
what we've observed for changes in him.

For instance, he thinks about his future now. A year ago, he
could have cared less about his grades. This year he takes
pride in a job well done and tries very hard at accomplishing
making the honor roll. If he struggles with a subject, he lets
us know so we can help him through it. He talks to his teachers
about his school work and what he can do to improve. We talk
about his goals and what colleges he is interested in attending,
and what it will take to get there. He is really starting to buckle
down and focus.

Another example of the changes we've noticed is the relationship
he has with his girlfriend. In junior high he had girls he called
girlfriends, but they were silly relationships. No real friendship
or depth to what they had. The girlfriend he has now is
treated with such kindness and respect, which goes both ways.
They talk about mature topics and have such an open and
honest relationship. Their friendship is amazing. If it doesn't
work out, they've promised to keep their friendship strong.
They have what most adults don't even have. Even though
their time together is quite restricted, we allow them to visit
each other on the weekends at each others homes, supervised.
A year ago, my son would have argued about the rules we set,
but now he accepts them without saying a word. He finally
understands we set rules out of love.

The final example I have to share with you about the changes
in my son that convinces me he's growing into a fine young
man is that he has begun hugging and telling me he loves
me again. He went through a period where we couldn't share
affection with each other, especially in front of people. To get
him to say "I love you, Mom" for the past couple of years was
a struggle. He would, but without feeling behind it. So we just
kept telling him each and every day that we loved him and
hoped he would come around. Now he says it often, and just
because he wants to. He doesn't have to be prompted. He
even cuddles on the couch to watch TV. When he calls me on
the phone and is with a group of his friends, he doesn't care
who hears him say "I love you, Mom". As a matter of fact,
most of the time, even his friends holler it before he says
goodbye.

So my little boy is changing into a wonderful young man
right before my eyes. I'm proud of who he is and the
choices he makes. I'm proud that he is not afraid to own
his mistakes and learn from them. His examples are
good examples for his younger brother and sister to
observe. I'm proud to be his Mom.