Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Before you groan and roll your eyes, remember that your Mum was a teenage girl once too.  How much of your Mum's story do you know?  Who was her best friend in high school?  What was her favourite subject?  Who was her crush?  What were her dreams? You may not realise it, but your Mum might even have some useful advice.

Mums don't mean to nag or ask about your homework (again), any more than teenage girls don't mean to forget to do their Math homework or use 'that' tone.  Both parties are trying to navigate unfamiliar territory.  Being a teenage girl is difficult - there are raging hormones, a quickly developing body with a slower developing brain, high school and homework, best friends and boy friends and parents to deal with.  Being a mother of a teenage girl is not always easy either.  They struggle knowing when to hold tight and when to let go, which battles to fight, when to bit their tongue and say nothing, and then how not to give 'that' look while they're busy saying nothing. 

This Mothers Day, what your Mum probably wants more than anything is to spend some time with you.  Give her a chance - even if you think she's pretty messed up, she's probably trying her best.  

Words are really powerful and we need to choose them more conscious of what comes out of our mouths.  I recently read this article Bernard Marr wrote for Linked In.  You can find the full article here but here's a summary:
1. That won't work - how do you know until you've tried?
2. I can't do it - what can you do to be able to do it (training etc)?
3. Impossible - open your brain to how it might be possible.
4. That's not fair - life is not fair so look for ways to improve the situation.
5. It's not my fault - instead of focusing on blame focus on problem solving.
6. I might be able to - don't set yourself up for failure.
7. That's not my job - sometimes to help the team or yourself move up the ladder you need to do somethings outside your job description.
8. Need - your need food, water and shelter.  Be careful how you use 'need' apart from those things.
9. I think... - it's wishy washy.  Use I believe or I know instead.
10. I'll try - to quote Yoda, "Do, or do not. There is no try."

Many girls become less physically active once they become teenagers.  Here are some of the advantages of staying physically active according to the Better Health website:

• Increased strength, stamina and flexibility
• Helps maintain a healthy body weight 
• Improves fitness and heart health 
• Decreased incidence of stress and depression
• Increased self-esteem
• Positive body image
• Opportunities to have fun and interact with friends and family.

You don't have to go to the gym - there are thousands of ways to get moving:

• Go for a walk/run
  
• Walk the dog
  
• Go for a swim at the beach
• Ride your bike
• Try Pilates or Yoga if working up a sweat isn't your thing 
• Get some friends together and hire a tennis court and have a hit
• There are thousands of workouts on Youtube
• Go skiing (ok, that depends where you live)
• Go ice skating
• Go rollerblading
• Enrol in a dance class
• Your local community centre has lots of well priced exercise options.

As the prophet Nike said, just do it!