Teenagers...UGH...

[golfgal]

Spending a little time at a homeless shelter this time of year might not be a bad idea either--maybe she will realize that she doesn't have it so badly either.

I would also have Dad talk to her about her attitude and reiterate that it is NOT ok to treat people like that.

 

[kellyg403]

Spending a little time at a homeless shelter this time of year might not be a bad idea either--maybe she will realize that she doesn't have it so badly either.

I would also have Dad talk to her about her attitude and reiterate that it is NOT ok to treat people like that.

Sometimes I think dad just chalks it up to being a teen. Last night at dinner I said to her, do you have to be picked up after school. She said I already told my dad I didn't. I said o.k., but I am not your dad so it was a simple question since I would be the one picking you up. She just looked at me and walked away. I looked at dad and said something along the lines of wow, she is really just rude today and it needs to stop. He said she is a teen, she did tell me she didn't need a ride etc.

Its almost like he doesn't understand that part of a mother's job is to teach our kids how to be successful in the world through manners and respect. He is one who thinks everything works itself all on its own.

Trust me...had I known years ago what I know now...well...But, she is a good kid who wasn't given the best lot in life but certainly not the worst.

Kelly

 

[golfgal]

Sometimes I think dad just chalks it up to being a teen. Last night at dinner I said to her, do you have to be picked up after school. She said I already told my dad I didn't. I said o.k., but I am not your dad so it was a simple question since I would be the one picking you up. She just looked at me and walked away. I looked at dad and said something along the lines of wow, she is really just rude today and it needs to stop. He said she is a teen, she did tell me she didn't need a ride etc.

Its almost like he doesn't understand that part of a mother's job is to teach our kids how to be successful in the world through manners and respect. He is one who thinks everything works itself all on its own.

Trust me...had I known years ago what I know now...well...But, she is a good kid who wasn't given the best lot in life but certainly not the worst.

Kelly

I would be letting DH know that it is NOT a teen thing and it is a DD thing and HE needs to step up to the plate and back you on this. A simple, don't talk to your step-mom like that from him would go a LONG way with her attitude. Also, if she continues to cop an attidude with you, the ride will stop (at least here they would).

 

[LoveDopey]

I'm dealing with my 4th teenager and she's almost 17 and, you know what, I'm really starting to "like" her if you know what I mean. She's losing the atttitude and some days she is just so funny. I found with each of mine, and yes the boys were easier, that I had to use a different tactic. The oldest girl I would hug and spend some extra time with, this youngest one I sent her to my room until she would decide to change her attitude. If I sent her to her room it was no big deal, phone, IPod, etc. In my room she had to sit in a chair in the corner. With all of them I found the best thing was to let them know their behavior was not acceptable.

 

[missypie]

Last year DD was 16 and only DH was an idiot. Now that she's 17, I'm an idiot, too.

 

[DMRick]

I had three teenagers at the same time. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Once they got in their late 20's, I found I was really glad I had them. Now two of them have teens (and one has a baby on the way) and I can only say payback if fun. All those times I said I hope when you grow up, you have a child just like you? Well, it happened. Now I can sit back and really enjoy their teens, because they aren't mine LOL!

 

[sbell111]

I don't agree with that though. I think too many parents, in an attempt to be "nice" and not wreck their poor baby's self-esteem don't say enough to their kids when they act up. I agree not letting things get into a knock down drag out, but a teen needs to know that they cannot talk to their parents or other people without the realization that it could come back on them.

I agree that that a parent should speak up and let their child know when he/she has wandered over the line, but the parent should never engage in snarky comebacks. That merely puts the child on the same level as the parent and empowers him/her to continue the bad behavior.

That is when I break out my secret weapon called.....HUGS! And I am not joking. I hug, hug, hug....chase them down if I have to.

So now they know if they start complaining the hugs are coming. And to be honest, they actually like them now. Who knew?

I rather like that idea. It reminds me of another where the parent was constantly reminding the teen how much she was loved and supported. By verbalizing this almost constantly, it really deflated the child's position that no one cares and the entire world is against her. Once that was accomplished, it became much easier to discuss the teen's real issues.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I rather like that idea. It reminds me of another where the parent was constantly reminding the teen how much she was loved and supported. By verbalizing this almost constantly, it really deflated the child's position that no one cares and the entire world is against her. Once that was accomplished, it became much easier to discuss the teen's real issues.

I started my "hug therapy" when my oldest was about 13ish.

Her complaining and my yelling was not accomplishing anything. One day I just started hugging her.

She was pretty mad for a good yr I think. She is stubborn. Then one day, she actually started accepting the hugs and would talk about things.

Now she is 18 and in college and can rant on me texting...hmmmm....I think I will send her cyber texting hugs....

 

[joyjoy]

Ya, well teenagers suck out your brain cells pretty quickly and they don't regenerate until they have kids of their own .

Also, they will kill you in your sleep.

 

[Pakey]

My youngest is 29 and I'm still trying to recover from the teen years.

 

[kellyg403]

My youngest is 29 and I'm still trying to recover from the teen years.

Ok so I feel way better now and have found the inner strength to move forward! Good thing for her that tonight at 5 we leave for WDW...I will be in my happy place where the teens can do no wrong. I can let them run off to other parts of the park and not be their mom for a few hours.

Kelly

 

[NMAmy]

Ugh is right--teenage girls drive me insane. DD is 19 now and I'm starting to really enjoy hanging out with her. In fact, you could have knocked me over with a feather yesterday when I got a text message from her out of the blue which said, "Mom, I really appreciate you."

So, they do become human again!

 

[ginna74]

daughter is 16 and it is DRAMA DRAMA 24 hour seven.... I wish there was a pill they could take to make it stop (ie a anti drama med??)... not talking about a chill pill either lol.

 

[RitaZ.]

Once they got in their late 20's, I found I was really glad I had them.

What do you mean late 20's? We have to wait that long?

I had to laugh at Missypie's comment. I was the idiot when DS was 16. This year, DH joined me.

I do agree that hug therapy works.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Ya, well teenagers suck out your brain cells pretty quickly and they don't regenerate until they have kids of their own .

That's the best thing that I have heard all day! It's so true too.


My teen drives me crazy but she will get hers one day. I can't wait for grandchildren!

 

[kellyg403]

That's the best thing that I have heard all day! It's so true too.


My teen drives me crazy but she will get hers one day. I can't wait for grandchildren!

Mentally, I think about this at least once a week. While I do not wish bad things on people..this is the one exception. That each of my children get a teenager like themselves!

Kelly

 

[Big V]

I find this thread very funny! We have a 17 yo DD and just last night she was being pretty crabby, and I asked her straight out if it was that time of the month and she said "yes, as a matter of fact"! She was good the rest of the night.
I do think that my DW and her get into it more than I do with her, but I let things slide more than my wife does.