Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sherill Pierce on January 27, 2010 at 2:09pm

I imagine it would be different between boys and girls. I've been through the grumpy "leave me alone, I know everything" stage with my daughter (now 21). Honestly the best way to handle her (each person is different) was to let her come to me when she was ready. I let her know that if she ever needed to talk about anything I was available for her. I think knowing that I will always be available to her helped a lot. Eventually she would come to me when she knew she couldn't handle a situation. Still I had to keep an eye/ear out for what she was doing. They do grow out of the stage eventually, around 19-20. They will think back and learn to appreciate the things that (at the time were uncool) you did for them, you may even get a thanks out of it. Don't stress yourself out too much. It takes time and patience but you'll get through it.
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**(Comment by Lisa Morales 55 minutes ago) Yay ok I get to be the first one to start a discussion, so here goes. I have a 13 year old son and a 10 year old son and a 20 year old daughter. My daughter has always lived with her dad so I never experienced the awful grouchy "Mom leave me alone I don't even want to know you" teenage years until now. Does anyone have any idea's on how to deal with this amazing teen of mine without pulling all my hair out from stress?

Permalink Reply by Charles Porch on February 11, 2010 at 12:43pm

Courtney - Do you think your own kids experience will be like yours? I'm 28 and I think that people 10 years younger have had SUCH a different experience. Things move so fast!

courtney spurling said:

Oh man.. my son is only 6 months.... SO i can only read and learn for the years to come... But i know it will be here before i know it!!!!

Permalink Reply by BobbiKay on February 11, 2010 at 4:32pm

My daughter is 10 and the preteen years are coming on way to fast. She has meltdowns from time to time now; however, the slamming & locking of the doors has already started. I think taking it day by day is the only way to handle any child.

Permalink Reply by Sherill Pierce on February 11, 2010 at 7:49pm

That is where you are correct. Taking things day by day is the best way. That and drinking some nice herbal tea for your frayed nerves helps from time to time. ^_^ I will be going through the teenage years again once my youngest daughter hits that magical age.

BobbiKay said:

My daughter is 10 and the preteen years are coming on way to fast. She has meltdowns from time to time now; however, the slamming & locking of the doors has already started. I think taking it day by day is the only way to handle any child.

Permalink Reply by Clarissa Knotts on March 27, 2010 at 10:08am

I have a teen boy that will be getting his driving permit next month (YIKES). My son Shade, has been through a tremendous amount in his short 15 years of life.. Recently, well June 2, 2009 he received a deceased kidney, and had a successful transplant so far. The difficulty I am having is the attitude from him and the repercussions that his father and I face for catering to his whims as a child going through so much.. He was hospitalized alot through out the years, so we gave in extensively. But now that he healthy and we are moving forward with our lives, he has been really mouthy and hard to get through too.. He is such a great kid don't get me wrong.. with him being the oldest of four his siblings look to him for love and show a lot of love to him..

I find it hard to punish him for not doing his chores or things asked of him since this all began. And when I punish him now, I end up caving and he walks on me. I get so frustrated with my husband because it makes me look like the "warden" in this house and I wish he would assume more of an enforcing roll in the punish/penalty phase LOL.

I have an older daughter turning 13 in September that is my little mother hen, and she is starting to act the same way.

Could it be that I subconsciously feel guilty for all that our family has endured and let them off easy? I am at my wits end these days.. and really want this under control before it gets worse..

Like i said.. these are great kids, very loving, and we are such close family. maybe I am just stressed, what do you think?