Teenage boys are great

The best thread. All I ever wanted was a girl....but wouldn't change my boys for the world. They're hilarious, empathetic, lollopy, kind, great with other children and genuinely good fun to be around. Whereas most of my friends have girls and I have to say I often feel a bit intimidated around them! My boys and their friends are never judgey....just laid back and good natured goof balls. Who need regular running and many many meals a day or you know about it!!!

My hardest season with my teen was around age 12-14 when they pull back, im extremely embarrassing to them, they are secretive, wont talk. We have a lovely relationship now but just give them space and time and be there as hard as that is, keep including them, asking how they are, tell them you love them, keep hugging its all a bit jekyl and hyde moods and they will come out the other side. Now i feel he sees me as a person they can go too when they dont know what to do and i wont go mental if they made a bad choice and are in a mess, they take my advice and we can have a normal adult conversation. Its great. Hes great and im loving seeing him grow up x

What a lovely thread. 😭 My twin boys are ten months old, sometimes I am worried about all the stages to come but this has made me feel like there will be so much joy, too!

I think there is a lot for us to look forward to.

I think a lot of us have seen toxic male behaviour and we have made an extra effort with our sons.

I think the up and coming generation of men will be different, because of our efforts.

As a mum of two fantastic boys who I couldn't love more, a massive thank you to all you gorgeous lot for sharing about your wonderful teen boys. So much to look forward to!

I love this description of them! Spot on

Mine are just approaching teenage boyhood and this thread is so lovely to read.

Last summer I was taking an evening walk on my local beach and walked past four lads of about 15 or 16 enjoying a sneaky lager and a joint around a beach bonfire and blasting Dire Straits from a speaker while chatting animatedly about the sunset and school and the world in general. They all waved cheerily at me as I went past and I remember thinking ‘i hope my DC have these lovely moments when they’re teenagers’

thet are great, as are teenage girls- they all get given too many looks, they’re a really nice generation

Mine is awesome and so are most of his friends.
They are so funny and derpy but then really smart, They take the piss out of each other but are incredibly supportive of eachother too.
Even when he is being an arse I never doubt that he loves me and isn't afraid to tell me in front of anyone. He's becoming a man but is still a boy too and sometimes doesn't know which to be.
I feel so lucky he's mine.

Mine is all kindness and emotional intelligence. Very affectionate, very fair and afraid of nothing.

Now, don’t ask me about his bedroom. I’m choosing my own battles.

@EarthlyNightshade xxx keep on being present and actively interested and involved in their life. The fact you posted shows you love and care.

Aww huge huge congratulations 🎊
Christmas days in your house will be mental chaos forever more!!

I would add that they also have the Labrador appetite too, probably need it with the boundless energy, until well exercised and then they flop on the sofa!

I get it. I've mentioned my ds upthread. He recoils from any physical contact, has a couple of friends he talks to in school, but never bothered to see outside,and I worry he's going to be a loner his whole life. I'd love to have had a house full of bouncy teenagers, but that's never going to happen.

We need that story you realise? 😂

And all the wonderful things having 10 teens boys must have bought!

Nomination for classics @MNHQ?

Another one that has really stuck with me.

A little Y7 kid was relocated to our school because he was being moved well away from where he grew up for safety reasons.

He'd been neglected at home, and ran feral with a bunch of teens in his home city, because he was small enough to put through a window when burgling houses.

He didn't know how to socialise with boys his own age, he only wanted to hang around with the boys in sixth form, our friends.

They took him on, played with him every lunch break, gave him jobs to do, and taught him how to behave. They even helped him make friends with younger kids.

He could be really hard work, but they were really patient with him. It was lovely.

Lovely thread. I recognise my teen (and his mates) in the comments. He is 17 now; tall, skinny and constantly eating. We also have a Labrador and the whole family comment on how similar they are they - both are food and ball games obsessed with kind, gentle natures.

So sorry you and your son had to go through this @UndertheCedartree . I hope he is doing much better now.💐

I agree! I have 3 of them and they are brilliant fun & very kind & helpful although they drive me to distraction with their inability to plan things and the amount of food they get through.

What a truly heart warming thread. Thank you so much OP. And I concur - they really are fabulous!

My ds is only 2 but already I refer to him as a Labrador pup, he is so gorgeously uncomplicated, easy to be around and just not that hard to parent (at the moment - very aware he is only 2!)

my older dd is infinitely harder and more difficult to parent. She’s hard work to be around. Everything is a battle. I dread to think how she is going to turn out as a teenager.

Finally a positive post, thank you! I am a boy mum and can’t wait until my beloved grows into a lovely, kind man like his father. Thanks OP!

@wizzywig what do you think helps/ is the difference between having a lovely teen or a difficult one?

Reading this with my 4 week old baby boy asleep on my chest 🩵