When did I get so stupid?

If you ask my kids they would tell you I know everything, how? I am a mom, we know everything. It is true, I admit it, I brainwash my kids. I think it is essential that so that as they grow they know they can depend on us, and most importantly they know they can't get one over on us. We need for them to believe we can almost read their minds so that we can get into their  kid brain and help them work through whatever is going on in there.  Taylor, for the LONGEST time would say..HOW do you KNOW these things? I just do..I know everything. Now I have McKenna saying it.
"MY MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING!"
And then, all of a sudden, the teenage child arrives. It was over night and BOOM. A bigger idiot there has never been. (me, of course, not her)  I went from the all seeing- all knowing mom to "that lady that is always talking in the background" and the woman who "knows nothing about this" (or that, or ANYTHING) I am 36 and old fashioned - go figure.
I can't decide if Taylor really thinks that I have no idea what I am talking about, or if she just really doesn't want to admit that I really am as smart as I think I am. She can be very convincing of my stupidity. Maybe she thinks if she admits it, then she loses her Teen Card. (my play on the "man card") I have learned to get crafty with my information seeking, and I have learned that if someone else tells her something, then she will believe it .  The proverb "a wise man surrounds himself with great counsel" is spot on.

There is nothing better than talking to Taylor about something, giving her my opinion  - usually arguing about why I feel that way - and getting brushed off.
No, that isn't the good part, the good part is hearing her say later that "so and so" said.... and hearing my words come out of her mouth!! EPIC WIN!!

I think it is a rite of passage with teenagers, we have to believe that our parents know nothing, so that we can test our wings and move out into the world without fear.
Even knowing that, it is hard not to be offended and take it personally, but I am getting used to it. I have accepted it and I think as long as I choose carefully the adults I put into my kids lives, then it will be fine.
It really is one of the most annoying things, how much drama could be saved if we would just take advice from someone who has been there before us.
Taylor will be 17 in a week and I think, the tide is turning, a little bit. Maybe?

                                           She is so pretty...someone else should tell her that!!!