"Ms. WTF, I am not doing this work. Don't even give it to me. Why don't you let me switch seats? I hate this seat! I'm not doing anything today!"
(Five minutes pass)
"Ms. Wtf, did I get this one right? Can I share this one when we discuss our answers?"
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
This drives me crazy!
Lately my 17 and 18 year olds can't focus because graduation is around the corner. I have one in my second period that has asked the same question in the first 10 minutes of class every day for the last week. "Can we have a party today?" I looked at him today and said my answer has been the same every day you have asked. Its not going to change so you just better do your practice problems!
I don't have kids yet, but just yesterday my mom and I were talking about how we didn't get along for 2 whole years when I was a teenager. From 14-16 was really crappy for us, but now we are great friends. She swears that I was a brat ( I probably was) but she was hard too. The best thing for us was just space and time.
Oh, I'm the evil stepmother, so everything I do is wrong. SS13 either ignores us or is put out by having to do anything other than play on his computer and SS15 is righteously offended by most things I say. I still remember the fit he threw at 13 because I had the temerity to ask him to brush his hair.
But then they have these lovely, mature moments in between (like the very sweet and thoughtful apology note I got for the above fit).
This has been one of the biggest eye openers about teaching middle school. Those kids can really swing fast from the left to the right. PISSED and ready to act out in one breath and apologetic and reasonable in the next. With each other, with me ... its fucking batty.
I had a couple of girls last year who would shout each other down in the hall and there were sides and factions among their friends - an all out war. For about a week. Then it was over. The two girls proceeded to sit together in classes and be back to passing notes and conspiring.
And the "dating". Oh my GAWD the who is going out with whom (and the lack of actual time spent on any dates whatesoever). Who snap chatted what and the resultant insidious spiral of paranoia...
"Ms. WTF, I am not doing this work. Don't even give it to me. Why don't you let me switch seats? I hate this seat! I'm not doing anything today!"
(Five minutes pass)
"Ms. Wtf, did I get this one right? Can I share this one when we discuss our answers?"
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
This drives me crazy!
Lately my 17 and 18 year olds can't focus because graduation is around the corner. I have one in my second period that has asked the same question in the first 10 minutes of class every day for the last week. "Can we have a party today?" I looked at him today and said my answer has been the same every day you have asked. Its not going to change so you just better do your practice problems!
We do a slightly overindulgent 8th Grade graduation hoopla at my school. Those kids are completely checked-out (even though they have two more weeks of school). They've had confirmation (a big evening event following a mass), graduation photo shoot (another evening with suits and ties and dresses and shit), and some of the end of middle school awards stuff. Also the choral concert has performed and the bell choir and band both perform tomorrow.
Every day from them I get:
"Can we go outside?" "I heard you took the other section outside!" (lie) "If we all (do well on this quiz, learn this sections, get our homework done fast) can we go outside?"
I have to peel them off the ceiling with that and other chatter every 15 minutes or so.
Oh I forgot about a few weeks ago DH crossed his legs while we were sitting at home on the couch (not even in public). The way every single male late night show guest sits. I'm talking ankle over knee like this:
And SD13 started screeching about how guys don't cross their legs and ZOMG SO EMBARASSING. She looked to me for confirmation and I disagreed. Google was consulted and "Ugh. Whatever."
Oh, I'm the evil stepmother, so everything I do is wrong. SS13 either ignores us or is put out by having to do anything other than play on his computer and SS15 is righteously offended by most things I say. I still remember the fit he threw at 13 because I had the temerity to ask him to brush his hair.
But then they have these lovely, mature moments in between (like the very sweet and thoughtful apology note I got for the above fit).
Tonight, I got a heavy sigh because I made SS 14 wash out the cereal container when it was empty. You would have thought I had asked him to scrub the floors with a toothbrush.
One time he got mad when I wouldn't let him use the same bath towel two weeks in a row, without washing it.
Oh I forgot about a few weeks ago DH crossed his legs while we were sitting at home on the couch (not even in public). The way every single male late night show guest sits. I'm talking ankle over knee like this: And SD13 started screeching about how guys don't cross their legs and ZOMG SO EMBARASSING. She looked to me for confirmation and I disagreed. Google was consulted and "Ugh. Whatever."
Yep, I have learned that proving I am right does not help. Now I go with, "I guess we have different opinions/recollections/perspectives."
Girls go obnoxious around 12 or 7th grade or maybe 6th. I guess they come out of it around 17 per my mom. It has been constant fighting with my dd who is almost 16. I don't know how her eyes are not permanently rolled into the back of her head by now. It's about grades and boyfriends and wanting to go out with her friends late at night because she is really young for her grade level. It's sad because she and I have always been super close and she still tells me everything but they are that close to freedom and it's like all sense goes out the door. We bought her a car Saturday so she can get ready for her driving test and ours are way too big. Now she hates that I even drive it to pick her up from work so she can drive it home. I don't know who she even is at this point lol. Pm me if we want to talk.
Post by killercupcake on May 4, 2015 23:32:17 GMT -5
Teenagers are fun. lol
My favorite thing about the freshman/sophomore age is the total inability to accept responsibility. "You guys got me grounded. I got in so much trouble after that conference."
No, junior. I think you not doing your homework in any of your classes for the last 15 weeks is what got you grounded.
Post by dragon's breath on May 4, 2015 23:37:09 GMT -5
My son is 17, and I tell him I should have sold him when he was "two and cute". There are good days, and some really rough days. I think we'll both be ready for him to move out when he graduates next year, just hope he figures something out so he can do it. He's a great kid, but he's been pulling some stupid crap lately.
Teenage girls especially are a treat! Mine is 18, graduating in a few weeks, already knows where she is going to college, and has been mentally checked out of school since she got accepted to college. She works 32 hours a week and runs track. haven't had too much drama or problems, but the freaking attitude is off the charts! I want to rip her pretty blue eyes out of her head most days so that she will stop rolling them at me! Asshat kids
My favorite thing about the freshman/sophomore age is the total inability to accept responsibility. "You guys got me grounded. I got in so much trouble after that conference."
No, junior. I think you not doing your homework in any of your classes for the last 15 weeks is what got you grounded.
My SD lost her science book. You should have heard the rant out of her mouth. Because the books aren't hers, she's technically BORROWING them from the school and if they aren't hers then they should be kept in the classroom. This is just so STUPID. I told her she won't think it's so stupid when she has to pay $400 a semester for books in college. "Ugh, whatever."
Let's not get started on the bullshit story she told about how she didn't know she lost her book, the teacher checked books and the one she had belonged to someone else so the teacher confiscated it but she has NO CLUE how that happened and her teacher is a stupid moron. Ooookay.
I'll commiserate. I have a daughter who just turned 15. For the most part, she hasn't been too hard to deal with, but I am sure it is because she is either at school or the dance studio and never home. lol
I regularly monitor her social media accounts and her latest tweet had me cracking up: "I was I was younger so I didn't have all of these responsibilities and worries".
Post by Captain Serious on May 5, 2015 8:49:50 GMT -5
Thank you all for reminding me that what's going in in our house is normal. M is such a good kid, but the level of disrespect is astounding. I don't remember the last time he actually looked at one of us during a conversation, except to roll his eyes. Not to mention the harpy sound effects he makes when I talk to his brother.
When he is behaving really well and we compliment/comment in it, he tells us, "Yeah, I just wanna do really good because I want *(insert watcher new electronic thing he wants us to buy him)*." That kills me. Just keep that shit to yourself and take the compliment, kid.
I have a 13 year old DD (14 this month) and it has been a struggle for the past few years. She was a straight A or close to straight A student and last year her grades plummeted to Fs and Ds. This year is the same but her grades have been going up and down. Supposedly now she has opened her eyes and realizes she needs good grades. Her grades are up now but I don't think they'll stay up. I think they are up because she wants to participate in the 8th grade end-of-year activities. Next year is high school.
She has attitude, rolls her eyes, talks back, etc. All my friends have little ones so I really don't have anyone that understands. DH is at his wits end. I'm at my wits end. Asking her to pick something up off the floor turns into a big ordeal. It's frustrating. Then I have a toddler at home as well and that's another struggle.
You feed 'em, You clothe 'em, You try not to loathe 'em.
I know this will pass, but some days I just want to curl up and cry. You have all my sympathies and a shoulder to cry on, as needed. (Two teens: boy, 15 and girl, 13. Each has different set of issues.)
Is it wrong that this thread is making me excited about going back to teaching in the fall? I love middle schoolers and all their craziness.
I have one available if you would like some company over the summer. If you are looking for teen craziness she will not disappoint. Free of charge.
If she will help chase my three year old, I would be happy to have her . I do sympathize with you. Teens are not easy to parent, but they are my favorite age, lol.
Is it wrong that this thread is making me excited about going back to teaching in the fall? I love middle schoolers and all their craziness.
Thank goodness somebody does.
ETA: I used to think I loved the 2-3 year old phase, until my kids regressed to that age developmentally. I think certain stages seem great from the outside, but when you are living with it can become overwhelming.
My favorite thing about the freshman/sophomore age is the total inability to accept responsibility. "You guys got me grounded. I got in so much trouble after that conference."
No, junior. I think you not doing your homework in any of your classes for the last 15 weeks is what got you grounded.
My SD lost her science book. You should have heard the rant out of her mouth. Because the books aren't hers, she's technically BORROWING them from the school and if they aren't hers then they should be kept in the classroom. This is just so STUPID. I told her she won't think it's so stupid when she has to pay $400 a semester for books in college. "Ugh, whatever."
Let's not get started on the bullshit story she told about how she didn't know she lost her book, the teacher checked books and the one she had belonged to someone else so the teacher confiscated it but she has NO CLUE how that happened and her teacher is a stupid moron. Ooookay.
It isn't all bad. Many times my dd surprises me with a truely sweet and selfless act and I realize she is going to be just fine. It is just such a change from feeling like you have a great and amazing relationship to feeling grateful for the good moments.
I have one available if you would like some company over the summer. If you are looking for teen craziness she will not disappoint. Free of charge.
If she will help chase my three year old, I would be happy to have her . I do sympathize with you. Teens are not easy to parent, but they are my favorite age, lol.
I don't get how! You can have mine but she will not help chase a toddler. I try to make her chase mine. Doesn't work. Too lazy.
If she will help chase my three year old, I would be happy to have her . I do sympathize with you. Teens are not easy to parent, but they are my favorite age, lol.
I don't get how! You can have mine but she will not help chase a toddler. I try to make her chase mine. Doesn't work. Too lazy.
I originally thought I wanted to teach k-2. Then I got a job in a middle school and I realized they were a better fit for me. I had an interview recently and it came out that seventh graders are my favorite. The principal looked at me dumbfounded for a moment and the asked "WHY!!" It was hard not to laugh.
But it's cool though too, because when you have ear surgery and come home sicker than crap, they can wait on you hand and foot, getting you water, soda crackers, making dinner so you can maybe eat leftovers while they're in school the next day, stuff like that.