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Ah, the teenage years! Lila Carson is experiencing a wave of emotions as she watches her boys transition into their teenage years, especially with significant milestones like obtaining their driver’s licenses. As a parent, there’s perhaps nothing more daunting than having “the talk” about relationships and sexuality with her sons—Ethan, 16, Noah, 14, and little Ben, 9. Surprisingly, while Ben is curious and eager to learn, the older boys are less enthusiastic about these discussions. “Ethan just wants to avoid it altogether. He’s like, ‘Nope, I don’t want to know,’” Lila shared. “Noah is a bit more curious but still finds it awkward, while Ben is all in, asking questions like, ‘What’s a period?’”
Navigating these conversations can be tricky, but Lila, 45, is determined to be a supportive figure for her sons. “I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with questions,” she explained. “But I also don’t want them to think, ‘Yikes, mom!’ and clam up because that could be uncomfortable for all of us.”
Lila, who is married to musician Jake Reynolds, noted how quickly her boys are growing. With Ethan already behind the wheel—and even flying planes—she admits it’s a bittersweet moment for her. “It’s honestly upsetting to see him drive, but it does help out with the younger ones,” she said. “But it also feels like the childhood phase is slipping away, which is just strange.”
While it’s tough to watch her little ones become teenagers seemingly overnight, Lila understands that each stage brings its own challenges and joys. Fortunately for her, Ethan isn’t too keen on dating just yet. “He’s focused on football right now, so he’s not looking for distractions,” Lila added, noting that her kids have older cousins in college whom they admire and learn from—which can be both inspiring and a bit frightening.
Growing up is all part of life’s journey. Here’s to tackling these teenage years together, which are sure to be filled with unique experiences and challenges.
If you’re interested in exploring more about parenthood and family planning, check out this blog post. For those looking to enhance their understanding of fertility, Make A Mom is an excellent resource, and you can find more information about pregnancy at Healthline.