I love you, I love you, I love you.

As mentioned, I've only been a mother for a little over four months-I'm largely clueless. I didn't give birth, officially adopt, get babies through a surrogate, do anything that 'normal', cool moms do. I've become second mom and guardian to two teenagers I used to mentor. They live with me, I feed them, soccer mom them, and love them A LOT.

However, after four months, I believe I've reached a milestone that all 'real' mothers reach with their teenagers. That wonderful, loving time when they tell us they hate their lives.

This past weekend, in reaction to me enforcing one of my rules about coming home on time, one of the boys packed a bag, made plans to become homeless, and posted on Facebook that he hated his f***ing life. Yesterday, in response to an issue at school that I addressed with the other child, he raised his voice to me for the first time. When I told him to go away and cool down. He yelled, "Go away! Go away! I'll go away!" and ran out the door. When we found him sitting quietly in the hallway 30 minutes later, he came inside and posted on Facebook that he also hated his life.

I am so proud that I have created a loving environment within which they now feel comfortable enough to tell me that the life I've created for them sucks. Don't worry, both boys have decided not to move out, and I feel pretty confident that we'll be on the up of the hormonal swing again soon.

For the sake of my sanity and theirs, I communicate consistently regarding appropriate manners and rules. However, where I feel the messaging must be most consistent is in the expression of my unconditional love--especially when they don't feel any love for me at all.

These times, I believe, are when a mother's love is most needed, and sometimes, the most lonely. I accept that you believe that I have ruined your life and I love you, I love you, I love you.