Does anyone else actually like their teenagers?

[Luv Bunnies]

A lot of my Facebook friends have been complaining about their teenagers lately. Our neighbor just sent one off to college last fall, and says he can't wait for the other one to leave. He loves them, but says he's done with all the attitude and drama and needs some distance from them.

I feel just the opposite way. My boys are 16 and 13. I love them, but I also like them. I miss them when they're not around. They're sweet and they absolutely crack me up! I was helping my 13-year old with an essay last night. We laughed so hard that both of us were crying, and it wasn't even a funny topic. I love watching them try new things. I love seeing them learn to do things on their own. They teach me new things everyday. They are both excited about helping me plan our summer vacation. I sometimes feel bad for my DH because he doesn't get to spend as much time with them as I do.

I can't possibly be the only one who likes their teenagers, can I?

 

[Squidgyness]

I am only 20, but when I was a teenager I think my parents like me. I was never into that rebellion stuff, just did my homework and played computer games a lot. Guess I was a 'nerd' lol.

 

[ckay87]

I like my teenagers, I love my teenagers, AND I complain about my teenagers. I love being with them, we have a blast together and I'm proud of them. But they also worry me and disappoint me as well, they are teenagers after all.

Do you really think your "friends" who complain about their teenagers don't LIKE their teenagers? I would love to know which of my friends feel that way when I vent my frustrations because they are clearly not my friends and they know NOTHING about me.

 

[mjkacmom]

Well, I like the male one better than the female! And I like my dd15, just not all of the time (she can be moody). Ds is almost 14, and I'm thrilled he hasn't got his full teen on yet. It also has to do with their personalities - my oldest and my youngest have always been more "spirited" than their siblings.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

A lot of my Facebook friends have been complaining about their teenagers lately. Our neighbor just sent one off to college last fall, and says he can't wait for the other one to leave. He loves them, but says he's done with all the attitude and drama and needs some distance from them.

I feel just the opposite way. My boys are 16 and 13. I love them, but I also like them. I miss them when they're not around. They're sweet and they absolutely crack me up! I was helping my 13-year old with an essay last night. We laughed so hard that both of us were crying, and it wasn't even a funny topic. I love watching them try new things. I love seeing them learn to do things on their own. They teach me new things everyday. They are both excited about helping me plan our summer vacation. I sometimes feel bad for my DH because he doesn't get to spend as much time with them as I do.

I can't possibly be the only one who likes their teenagers, can I?

I like and love them (15 & 20yodd's) but they tick me off to high heaven. How's that?

Let's see....THEY ARE PIGS. Crap everywhere, their rooms are dirty, they won't clean their bathrooms, sleep too much, & have to nag to get them to do stuff.

 

[MomofKatie]

So far, teen-dom has been good with DD. She is only 13, though, so there is lots of time for her to become a pill.

Seriously, she has been a good, easy kid pretty much her whole life. I am hoping she stays true to this and continues to be (mostly) drama-free throughout her teen years.

 

[krcit]

I like my teenagers, I love my teenagers, AND I complain about my teenagers. I love being with them, we have a blast together and I'm proud of them. But they also worry me and disappoint me as well, they are teenagers after all.

Do you really think your "friends" who complain about their teenagers don't LIKE their teenagers? I would love to know which of my friends feel that way when I vent my frustrations because they are clearly not my friends and they know NOTHING about me.

I have also been known to exaggerate my frustrations for comic relief. I'm not going to post "Oh, I love my kids so much" because I think it's pretty obvious that I do.

 

[luvsJack]

I liked and loved (and still do!) my sons when they were teens and I like and love dd at 13.

Yep, they can be moody and full of drama, but they can also be such a joy to be around! I have always just enjoyed being with them.

There is a huge difference in how it was when I had two teen boys and now with dd and her bff (who is with us enough to say we have two teen girls, lol) but I enjoy the differences.

 

[budmonster]

I have 3 teens in the house and at the present time I love two of them and the oldest, DS18, is about to get kicked out of the house. So I would have to say while I'll always love him right now I'm not liking his decisions in life. But that's a whole other story.

 

[punkin]

I have a "difficult" 13 yo DD, but I love her AND I like her. Not only that, I admire a lot of the qualities that make her "difficult" such as her bullheadedness, strength of character, and seriously out of this world intelligence. The problem is, that a child like that is very hard to guide and has to find her own way despite difficulties that could be avoided if she only listened to me. So, I complain to my friends and family....A LOT!!!!

 

[NAB]

I do love my kids but I do say sometimes that I can't wait until he leaves and he is only 14. I have years to go.

Think if it wasn't for the xbox , cell phone etc. My child would be totally different. But of course it could just be his personality. We clash because he is stubborn like me my husband says.

Glad you have great kids.

But I think it is like my husband some times you love them and sometimes you what to strangle them. Good times and bad times , that is life.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I like my 16 year old. He mostly doesn't give us attitude and is a good kid.

Now my 12 year old DD - I mostly like her. She can totally drive me nuts with her drama queen attitude though. And everything is a big deal with her. It's going to be a few long years at my house with her teen years.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have a 15.5 year old and a 12 year old at home, I also have a 23 year old who is in her own home I love them all. I like them all. When DD23 was at home there were days I didn't much like her attitude but they were few and far between. I have awesome kids.....DD15 and I are talking about going to see Beauty and the Beast tomorrow. How many kids actually want to do that with their Mom? lol

 

[Robinrs]

I not only like and love my almost OUT of teenagedom young man (he's 19), I wish I were more like him.

He's neat, focused, personable, kind, generous and calm. He doesn't let anyone bug him (including the loud short woman who is always in his face) and he ALWAYS wears a smile.

I learn every day how to be more like him... maybe I can reach it someday before I die.

Does he drive me crazy sometimes? Uh, YEAH . He's a man, so they hear what they want to hear and do what they feel is right. They also think we were NEVER their age and we're dumb as dirt...

I just can't wait till he hears my words coming out of his mouth like I hear my Mom's words coming out of mine.

 

[RunningGirl]

I like and love both my teens. I like that our relationship is slowly maturing and enjoy spending time with each of them. Neither has given us much "teen attitude" and they're both pretty easy to raise.

 

[Snowflakey]

I LOVE my DD's (18 & 15)they are great girls who has never given us a hard time about anything. They aren't "drama" girls either. Very down to earth and just lots of fun. We are always laughing together.

I DREAD when DD18 leaves for college this fall but I'm so excited for her to begin this new chapter of her life.

There hasn't been one day when I ever thought to myself that I can't wait until they are out of the house.

 

[Momvic5]

I LOVE my teenager. He is going to be 16 years old in a few short months, and I am a little sad over it. I love that he is home, and I know that when he is able to drive, I will see less and less of him.

I love the sense of humor that he has developed. It is dry and witty, and if you are not paying close attention to what he is saying, you might miss it.

I am very proud of him. I tell him frequently that I am so thankful that he is a happy teenager. Sure, he has his moments of moodiness, but I think we all do. A litttle tenderness on those days always helps the moodiness pass.

 

[LinK]

I love my son, oh don't worry there are times when I could shake him but we have to remember that part of the attitude issue and all the other stuff is part of them working away from us.......even though i hate the thought. This is their time to work out who they are and being independent.

This is the child development that i hate the most. I guess if he is going to be a doctor I guess having mom hanging around in th OR isn't a good thing.

 

[bethbuchall]

I LOVE my DD's (18 & 15)they are great girls who has never given us a hard time about anything. They aren't "drama" girls either. Very down to earth and just lots of fun. We are always laughing together.

I DREAD when DD18 leaves for college this fall but I'm so excited for her to begin this new chapter of her life.

There hasn't been one day when I ever thought to myself that I can't wait until they are out of the house.

This is exactly how I feel about my two teens (whoops, one isn't a teen anymore...) who are already in college. I am so excited for them to be in this chapter of their lives and doing well, but my heart feels crushed every time they leave to go back to school. I really enjoy having them both at home. I try not to let it show too much, though, because I want them to love where they are and what they're doing. I have one more who will become a teen in May, and I'm sure that I'll feel the same with him (unless there is a drastic change in the next few years).

 

[suzannen]

I LOVE my DD's (18 & 15)they are great girls who has never given us a hard time about anything. They aren't "drama" girls either. Very down to earth and just lots of fun. We are always laughing together.

I DREAD when DD18 leaves for college this fall but I'm so excited for her to begin this new chapter of her life.

There hasn't been one day when I ever thought to myself that I can't wait until they are out of the house.

I also both really like and love my 17 1/2 year old DD. She has so blossomed into a funny, smart, engaging, beautiful and thoughtful young woman. She's a fabulous traveler and we love to go to Broadway, movies, restaurants, spas, shopping...both DH and I will miss her when she leaves for college next year. Her messy room? - nah, not so much!