Can you people please catch up?

[georgeglass]

Read this. STAT.

www.amazon.com/Untangled-Guiding-Teenage-Transitions-Adulthood/dp/0553393057

[textbookcase]

Mine just turned into a teenager this week and already I FEEL YA.

[CurlyQ284]

I have a 4 year old DS but my SDs are 14 and 15. 15 yo has a junior boyfriend, we just bought her prom dress. I'm here for you!

[dove]

The teenage years suck!! I'm sorry.

We raised a boy. Proud to say we both survived. He'll be 21 (!!) This year.

You got this!

[penelope]

It gets better! DS1 is almost 17 and I like him again!

DS2....13 and yeah. It's not pretty.

The change happened this year with DS1. He's smart and mature and has a good sense of humor. Sometimes he's really funny. Don't get me wrong, he's not perfect (nor am I!) but we get along again and can have very good conversations.

So hang in there because it won't be like this forever!!!

[fivechickens]

I am not looking forward to the teens. I already have a sassy 6 year old that tells me I am the meanest mom ever but that she loves all in the same breathe. At least she still wants to cuddle.

I remember what an asshole I was as a teen. I might as well start drinking to prep for 3 same aged teens. *cries*

My DH is already working out plans for a 'man cave'. Not only will he have 3 teen girls but he will also have a menopausal wife in the same house.

[kath16]

SD is 12 and very recently, like within the past few weeks, has become a disaster. The attitude and back talk and OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG the whininggggggggggggggggg about everythingggggggggggggggggggggg

she doesn't even have her period yet. prayers for everyone in this phase.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

K is TRYING. She just turned 10 but she apparently is confused.

[medicmommy]

It's the worst. I have no advice but I'll commiserate.

[mrsjuleshs]

14-15 was ROUGH! She was always so moody. It's like a light flipped when she turned 16, and even better when her step dad & I separated. We have such an awesome relationship now and the past 1 1/2 years has been so much more enjoyable despite a few minor arguments.

Hang in there (hugs)

[mrsjuleshs]

Apr 12, 2017 14:58:16 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 12, 2017 14:56:09 GMT -5 mrsjuleshs said:

14-15 was ROUGH! She was always so moody. It's like a light flipped when she turned 16, and even better when her step dad & I separated. We have such an awesome relationship now and the past 1 1/2 years has been so much more enjoyable despite a few minor arguments.

Hang in there (hugs)

Is she in college now? Or still a senior? I lose track of time.

Senior.  She graduates in less than 2 months and has big plans to get her own place end of summer and going to community college for the basics.  I am so not ready for this but I am excited that she is doing great in life.

[hisno1girl]

My friend has three teenaged daughters.

He was a marine and said he'd rather go back to Afghanistan than to deal with his teen daughters.

Lol.

[cajunmom]

My step-son is 19 but he's really mellow. The biggest issue we have with him is his lack of communication.

DD1 is 14.5. I don't think she's doing anything to prepare me for what I feel is surely coming with DD2. DD1 is very mellow and laid back, sweet and affectionate. She's had her period for almost a year so I don't think things will necessarily get much worse with her. She just doesn't have the personality for it.

DD2 will likely be a different kettle of fish. She's 11 and is much more mouthy and full of attitude. She still has a lot of sweetness but I see a frightening potential for mayhem as she gets older.

[L]

Ugh! Hang in there. I have 4 girls but my oldest is only 12. I'll have 3 teens & a preteen all at once. Not looking forward to it.

[my3boyz]

I have 2 teen boys, 14&16 and it sucks. Between grades attitude and general teenage stupidity I don't know if I will survive. DS3 won't be far behind them if I do survive.

[mrsukyankee]

My dad and I are both parent educators. The one thing we both have said to parents of teenagers that seems to make it feel a bit better is something like this: Every time your child is an asshole, it's them trying to figure out how to individuate as an adult. They don't have a clue how to do it, so they yell, scream, act out, etc. It's really not about you, it's about them and their idiotic brain development. (we put it much more nicely to parents in classes but I can say it this way to you guys) Most of the time, if you set appropriate boundaries, keep trying to communicate (even if it fails) and show your love, they'll come back to you. Even with my dad and mom understanding all of this parenting/teenager stuff, I was still an asshole a lot. They did give me room to fail, grow and rebel a bit, but also had appropriate boundaries. And now my mom is a great friend (we started liking each other again in university/post-college years).

[abcdefu]

::takes birth control and backs out of thread::

[cc]

I have a 16 year old daughter (who turns 17 next week) and a 13 year old son. (along with my 6 year old daughter). I can commiserate with you. They are the WORST!