Teenagers....

[dairyou]

It's the last weekend before school starts and I thought it would be nice to do something together as a family. I have two DS. One is 17 almost 18 and the other is 16. I thought they may want to go boating, but they said no. When asked what they'd like to do, DS 17 said he doesn't really want to do anything with us but would like to hang out with his friends. DS 16 doesn't really care.

Will they ever like us again? I know it's silly but my feelings are kind of hurt

Deb

 

[powellrj]

My DS moved out on Monday and has been back everyday this week. We have seen him more since he moved out than when he actually lived here! Classes don't start for another week, so I look to see alot of him between now and then!

 

[Shmily1]

When DS was 17 and DD was 16 they didn't want to do anything either. I planned something (a week at BC) and they had a blast!! It was our best WDW trip ever!!!

 

[ckay87]

What if you offer to let them take a friend along? I know it's not what you had in mind, but you could at least spend time as a family +2. We went camping last weekend and each boy brought a friend. We had a blast. Still was family time, but they were just allowed to bring along one fun item from home. But I feel ya.

 

[minkydog]

I know what you mean. Our schools went back in session Monday and DD16 wanted to spend the last week with her friends. Actually, I remember be the same way. Anyway, she and her 7 BFFs, 4 girls & 3 boys, decided to really make it a week. They called it International Week2 boys are Chinese, DD is half Greek, one of the girls had just returned from Thailand. They did something every day--got dressed up real nice and went to the movies, ate spaghetti & pizza, ordered Chinese takeout, had a couple girls-only sleep-overs. The final outing was a trip to a local Indian restaurant. The BFFs were game even though most of them had never eaten Indian food.

I find that if I really want to spend time with DD these days I have to be willing to take some friends. Not that she would refuse, and we do have some mother/daughter time. But we also have fun with the friends. Last April she asked if she could take all the girls up to the mountains camping. She asks for very little. The girls had a blast and we enjoyed watching them have a great time together.

This is just a season in our lives. If it makes you feel any better, DS23 moved back home last year and lives in my basement.

 

[imabrat]

No, we won't like you ever again.


I'm just kidding, of course we will like you again. Right now it's just a tough point in our lives, but we will like you guys. One minute, my mother are BFFs and talking about anything, the next we're ramming horns and screaming at each other. Don't feel bad.

I second bringing a friend along. For me, it's kind of like "I live with you guys 24/7, I want to hang out with my friends too". Bringing a friend on family outings helps because I still get to hang with my family, but I also get to be with my friends and have fun.

 

[lustergirl]

I know the feeling. My sons are 20 and 16 years of age and alot of nights me and hubby are home alone. The 16 year old is into girls now- eeek!!! I told him the other day that we were going shopping for school clothes and he told me wanted to wait because his little friend of a female persuasion was coming to the house. I thought "This boy doesn't want to go shopping for clothes, is he sick?" My 20 year old son- I never see hardly. I sometimes wish they were little again and I would still have complete control over them.

 

[HunnyPots]

I would say, if you are likable, then yes, they will!

My son, 18, just graduated this spring and I can tell a HUGE difference in him already. He is back to sitting and talking with me, acknowledging me in front of his friends, and going out in public with me. He even took me out to lunch on my birthday last week! A year ago, most people probably thought he was an orphan, so this is leaps and miles different!

My daughter, a senior in college, took a vacation with me a few weeks ago instead of a group of friends. We talk on the phone every day, go out to lunch when she is home, and just generally hang out.

There is hope!

 

[lustergirl]

My older son is actually going on vacation with us this coming October.He hasn't been in 3 years. My younger son is staying home for school football. It will seem weird without him. Just thinking about this makes me boo hooey!!

 

[KinPA]

I feel for you! I have 17yr old twin boys. I'm the biggest geek in the world to them. We are taking them to Knoebel's Sat for their B-Day...as long as 2 friends can go with they will be happy!

 

[MerMom60_94]

I am taking a vacation week the last week of this month. My intention was to take a couple of day trips with my DD (14) before we fall back into the school routine. Last weekend I suggested to her that we could take a ride down to the Cape on vacation and rent bikes and take a bike trail. She told me it's her last week off before school starts and she really wants to spend it with her friends. So, I now have visions that my vacation week will be spend chauffering and entertaining her and her friends. How restful.......not.

 

[java]

My oldest is 15 and he still hangs out with us. We do fun stuff- he doesn't have a job so our stuff seems fun to him. We're going tubing on the Delaware this weekend. He's excited to go. We went to Knoebels last weekend. Now he does have another weekend before school starts. I guess that'll be the one he'll want to hang with buddies.

I think they've done enough hanging around this summer. Funny thing his friends all have invited themselves with us throughout the summer - and I'm fine with that.

I think one or more are coming tubing with us.

 

[minkydog]

I am taking a vacation week the last week of this month. My intention was to take a couple of day trips with my DD (14) before we fall back into the school routine. Last weekend I suggested to her that we could take a ride down to the Cape on vacation and rent bikes and take a bike trail. She told me it's her last week off before school starts and she really wants to spend it with her friends. So, I now have visions that my vacation week will be spend chauffering and entertaining her and her friends. How restful.......not.

Awww, it's not so bad, really. My DD16 said the same thing and you know what? I ended up having a lot of fun with her and her BFFs. My philosophy is to keep "sweetening the pot" to keep her wanting more. Nothing expensive, just giving permision and encouragement to make strong bonds with her friends. We have a good mother-daughter relationship. I believe there is room in my heart to include the people who are most influential in her life(besides her family.) As a matter of fact, the BFFs have my cell number on speed dial and they all call me Mom. I always wanted a bunch of girls and now I've got 'em. I'd say that's not a bad problem to have.

 

[2bearsmom]

You mean there will come a day when my boys wont want me around? That I wont be the center of their universe anymore? How come nobody told me?