Christmas with sulky teen?

Teen (16) is happy playing Fortnite..He was happy with presents and interacted this morning and has reverted to type..He's not being surly, rude or confrontational which is a blessing. He even had a shower last night..must be Xmas..

I do find this mad. If I’d ever done this as a teenager I would have been told in no uncertain terms that it wasn’t ok - my parents put a lot of effort into Christmas and had I skulked off to my room or been quiet/grunted it wouldn’t have been ok. I don’t understand whether my parents just gave us very little grace or the attitude to teenagers nowadays is a bit mad.

Christmas Day is for enjoying yourself. Their enjoying themselves just looks different to yours that's all. As long as they take part in some of it allow them time to do what they want as well. DS14 was with us until after lunch then had gone off to his room. Later this evening we will ask him to join in some board games which I'm sure he will but for the time being he can do whatever it is he is doing up there.

It's not just you. Our 17 year old has been absolutely vile right from Christmas Eve and is continuing as we speak. Rude, moody, having a go at siblings, having a go at me. Currently in my bedroom having a little cry 😢

In their rooms, no problem - everybody needs a break and they're probably eager to enjoy their gifts, catch up with friends on how their days went, etc.

Does "grunting through dinner" mean they were grumpy and rude, or just not very sociable/talkative? Rude is unacceptable, but if they hadn't had a chance for any alone time grumpiness is probably to be expected. A logical flow of the day might be to do breakfast and gifts, let everyone go off and do their thing for a while, then regroup to do any remaining dinner-prep work and have a nice meal together.

Yes mine too op!

Snap! 18 year old DD home from uni stayed up last night and was fine this morning. Happy enough, opened presents and was sociable. Then disappeared upstairs to nap. Came down for dinner where she was tired and not
talking much and yawned through most of it. Now back in her room. Not sure if we will see her again now today.

We’ve got my 18 year olds girlfriend with us - it’s a game changer.

Their room is where they want to be! Most of us were the same at that age - well away from embarrassing relatives. Just leave them to enjoy their time in peace - they'll come out when they're hungry.

Just let them be!

I have a 15yr old. He’s been really pleasant all day. Bit grumpy this morning due to the 7:30 wake up call from our youngest!… But we’ve given him lots of down time for him to skulk off to his room and not expected his presence all day.

He’s then chosen to come an sit/chat with us through out the day.