Teenage boys are great

My DS age 17 is my pride and joy. He is kind, hilarious, and idealistic. He eats the hugest amount (he plays elite sport so needs a lot of calories) and isn't great at sitting still, so yes, very Labrador. My fear is the message that he and other teenage boys get is that they are a problem, a danger, something bad in the world to be managed. I feel like schools often perpetuate this, from the time of primary where teachers and girls talk about 'the naughty boys' (to mean the vast majority of boys, as they tend to be a bit louder and move more than girls) in a way they'd never talk about 'the naughty girls'. In secondary my son had a perfect behaviour record and was described to me by his form tutor as 'the gold standard in respectful behaviour'; he also had very decent grades and an interest in the arts. But he was never chosen for the extra investment academically or in the arts given to others as I think he was just seen as 'a sporty boy' and so there were assumptions about his abilities and interests. He exceeded all his predicted grades at GCSE without the substantial extra support given to chosen girls and non-laddy boys. It was also interesting to observe what the school clamped down on and what they let slide - a momentary scrap between two boys over football at lunch would be a serious issue even though the boys were back to being friends within minutes, but terrible bullying of a girl by other girls (the popular, 'nice' girls) that resulted in the girl trying to take her own life to my knowledge resulted in absolutely nothing. Essentially throughout primary and secondary school there were just a lot of messages to boys who appeared particularly stereotypically 'male' that they were an issue, just by their very nature. I'm a huge feminist, I want to tackle the entrenched misogyny and violence against women . . . but I don't think that making young men feel bad about themselves is the answer.

Love this thread! My DS is 13 and he's a delight. Getting a bit cheekier, hairier and smellier,, but honestly a delight. Hard-working, caring, kind, goofy - and SO funny. We have such a lovely bond and I also like seeing him with his friends. They are such lovely boys and have a wonderful friendship 💜

Wow! What an amazing thread. Yes, I couldn’t agree more. I often think about them being like big, bounding Labradors. I feel proud of them every day. There are three of them that come around every day before school. On Fridays my husband makes them all bacon sandwiches, he's never missed a week in 4 years. They are always so polite and grateful and the conversations between themselves are hilarious.
I remember a quote, on here, from around 17 years ago. It’s talked of SMOGS and DMOBS. Now, bear in mind it was tongue in cheek and they were talking about mothers with pre-school/early Infant school children…
SMOGS Smug Mothers Of Girls “My daughter will sit for hours crafting and playing gently with her toys, it must be so hard only having boys and knowing you won’t have that connection growing up” actually, that was a direct quote.

DMOBS Defensive Mothers Of Boys. “My boy/s are actually fantastic. Yes they are a massive source of chaos, noise and mess right now (gazing at them at a Birthday Party) but they are great.”

I still get the “it must be so sad to only have boys”. To which I just smile, knowing I am now a SMOB.

What a lovely post - I hope mine grows up to be one of these!

Ha... Your ds would be described in my native north east as knowing the square root of a jar of pickles but can't get the lid off!

My lad is a young teen but noted he was very Labrador like yesterday. He's a sweetheart.

The one I know is my DD boyfriend- they're both 18. They have a similar sense of humour and because she's mine and my DHs DD - we all share a similar sense of humour. Daft jokes, fart laughs and dark humour. He's pretty awesome as teen boys go but I won't tell him that ..

I have a toddler, and as such have been around the local park full of teen boys a lot in the past 18m.

The teenage boys there were always lovely when I was pregnant, and now they're lovely to my son. Making each other be careful around him, lending him things when he toddlers over to play and showing him how to use them.

I adore mine, they are ao kind and thoughtful and love their mum. What a lovely thread.

Aww this thread is bloody lovely.

I have 4 of them and they're all weird and wonderful in their own special way.
They're incredibly close and hearing/watching them all together is just my favourite thing in the world.

Agreed.

Mines 20 now so no longer officially a teen!

But I've watched his generation and they really give me hope for the future.

Ime they are so respectful, helpful and kind. They are smart and funny. They are hardworking and very fair.

I’ve got three sons and five grandsons here. Has any one got any leftovers they don’t need? 🤣
They are and have been honest, loyal, affectionate, annoying, loud they are the things I’m most proud of.

I have no sons, only daughters, two of whom are teens.

The adult years are going to be great

What a lovely thread OP!
I had girls, but acquired lots of grandsons, now teenagers. This Christmas I am surrounded by them. They are kind, thoughtful, good-mannered, helpful, playful ..... I have been quite ill this year and life has been a struggle. They are one step ahead in helping me in every way, offering to lift things, fetching things so I don't have to go up the stairs, making sure I have what I need. They are a delight... charming and funny.
I am sure there are times when they are a pain in the arse, but I see the best of them and feel surrounded by their love.

Agreed. Mine are 17 and 19. This is probably my favourite age since they were under 5. They are both good company, caring and fun to be around and give the best hugs.

Wonderful thread, so accurate and aligns in so many ways with my two, 15 and 19 years and so proud to be their mother.

Totally agree. DS is 14 now and absolutely wonderful. Loves board games, still wants to be associated with us(!), secretly enjoyed watching Wicked even though he pretended he was only going to indulge his younger sister. I wish he’d take better care of his skin, but that’s why he’s got a mother to nag him to wash his face. I love the absolute bones of him, he’s a joy, and I’m so glad I had a boy and get to see the man he is becoming.

I don’t have one (yet) but I would add that as a group I find teenaged boys the most polite in public. Get out the way when you’re walking on busy pavements, well behaved on public transport. Not all, but generally. (Middle aged men the worst usually too)

I find the way they obsess over food really sweet: like toddlers really - i have two boys and they’re just wonderful, gentle, creatures

*with their, not either.

I have three of them, all different personalities, but when they get together and start talking about their shared hobbies, they sort of meld into one, either inside jokes and the laughter.

Yesterday I felt so proud of them, they'd all bought each other gifts, and the thought that had gone into them really made my day. Yes my gifts from them were equally as thoughtful, but seeing the caring young men they are, made me quite emotional.

This is a wonderful thread, thank you OP.

I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve had a really shit month, DD has been diagnosed with autism and an immediate family member died mid-December. I was absolutely dreading Christmas but my 15 year old son has been incredible.

From stopping what he was doing to sit with his sister while she was overwhelmed yesterday to telling the worst joke that made me cry laughing.

I just love him so much, he is an absolute joy to be around at the minute. I listen to him and his friends gaming, the jokes they tell, the plans they make, the way he comes to talk to me about current issues, his sense of fairness and justice, his hugs. Just all of him. I don’t know how I got so lucky, I really don’t.

I generally just love teenagers - I've adored teenage years with both my DS and my DD. My SC are hitting teenage years now and I'm looking forward to entering this new time with them.

I love this thread so much. I grew up with a sister, and have (silently) wondered if I would be missing out without a girl to share similarities with. This is so wonderful!

Ok since I can't say it anywhere else, I feel like I'm going to burst with pride at mine most days. I've raised him alone and he is just bloody lovely. Loved by everyone who knows him, thoughtful, helpful, kind and funny. Checks in on his elderly grandparents regularly of his own accord kind of boy. 🥰
He is my favourite person on the planet to hang out with, his mates are lovely too.

And hugs. Mine give the best hugs. As they are about 15 stone now it's quite an intense experience!