Is it normal to get on with 13 year olds this well?

IMHE 13 year olds are brilliant, they are a brilliant combination of opinions, wittiness and still wanting to be looked after and included in activities, even if they are a bit ‘babyish’ for them. They kind of can’t decide if they want to be adults or children at this age and I am here for it as I think it’s the best of all worlds TBH. I just hate how self conscious they can sometimes be for them, but remember being the same at that age too. They have so much to give the world and I just hope they don’t lose that spark.

Not weird at all, teenagers can be very fun and interesting. Youth workers and secondary school teachers/pastoral support will be full of people who got on well with teens.

The teen/young adult stage is very interesting developmentally. I often have teens and young adults coming to me for chats and advice, including my own. I don't do anything special. Just be accepting and talk to them like ordinary people.

I don’t think teenagers are hard to get on with if you meet them where they are and try not to be ‘cool’. They’re just people. I always got on with my own 3 (streetwise) teenagers and I’m a fat middle aged Christian! I always respected their lives and treated them like mini adults with their own agency. I think if you tread a non judgemental but principled line, they respect you. YANBU.

Not at all, as a teacher I've always loved hearing the world from their viewpoints. So innocent and devoid of the adult world, just genuine chat.

All part of growing up, curiosity, personalities developing. At times I've been in awe of what some have said, other times yes the eye roll.

As adults we are here to guide them amd also to encourage confidence to let them aspire to what they want to be. Xxx

In fairness, all teens are ok with relatives. It’s their parents who get the flak!

Having spent several years teaching teens I have to admit that there is something a bit odd about adults who prefer their company to that of other adults. In fact there is something odd, childish and immature about adults who don’t like adult company. I’m glad now that for many years i haven’t had to deal with teenage dramas.

My 14 year old DS is great, he’s really fun and witty to have a natter to. I’m trying to lose a bit of weight so wanted an extra walk yesterday so he came with me and made me laugh lots.
some days he can be a bit prickly too and teen boy daft but on the whole I think I’ll keep him.. his two besties are lovely too.

My 14 yo dd’s friends are amazing! I love a good chat with them. I get to hear all the gossip and they are funny as heck! I don’t think it’s weird at all.

Oh, I think this is another terrible generalisation. Mine ask to hang out with me (and I am not particularly cool!)

Of course. Teenagers are human beings too, and many of them are lovely and great fun to be around. Mine included!

I always wonder what people mean when they say “I don’t like teenagers” or “toddlers are a nightmare”. They’re generalising an entire age group 🫤

I’ve my daughter’s company and she has an amazing set of friends that are much fun to be around.

Very different chatting to them as a "cool aunt" than a parent.

Do be careful that you aren't cringing your niece inside out though. I knew someone who used to tell people how they were an "honorary teen" and she "was just one of them". I met the group when they were out once and the teens' body language told a totally different story. Person was totally oblivious to how embarrassing the rest of the group found them, but being a nice bunch they hadn't the heart to say.

Edited to say it was cousins not aunt/niece but about a 10year age gap.

I work with teenagers.

don’t get me wrong they can drive me insane but equally they are really good to chat to because they are in between the child stage of seeing the world but not quite at the adult stage.

I love getting to see the world through their eyes and hope they learn as much from me as I do from them.

I’ve always preferred teenagers and pre teens (I used to work in children’s/youth TV). Often found the boys more entertaining and good fun to be with but generally I just like this age group.
Zero interest in babies and toddlers, sorry!

I work with teenagers from Europe/South America etc and get on brilliantly with them. We have some amazing convos and big laughs. I socialise with them maybe once/twice in six months….put it this way…..the world is in good hands with youngsters like this…….not weird to get on with teens. Glad that you do OP 😀

I love the company of my teens! It's easy to imagine teens are like there stereotypes but lots of them are lovely

My two DS (17 and 14) are brilliant. My elder one was hard work as a child but seemed to totally chill around 12 and has been great ever since.

We have 2 children +18 yo. They were great teenagers.
We have a younger one too. Next is secondary school - but so far no issues.
I see a lot of teen girls as a girl guide leader - they are amazing.

YANBU - this is the reason so many of us love the teaching part of being a teacher! I work with this age group and they are (mostly) just brilliant. Utterly hilarious, incredibly insightful much of the time and great company. Much more fun to be around than younger ones!

When you've given birth to them, however, they tend to view you as an incredibly irritating and stupid encumbrance whose only purpose in life is to make theirs as miserable, embarrassing and unpleasant as possible. But other adults? Oh, they're great.

It improves once they've gone through this bit and are out the other side, though.

As long as your not trying to be their friend rather than a responsible adult / parent, everything is fine.

I have a 15 year old niece and how she’s consistently viewed the world is ace. Love hanging around with her.

I work with teenagers, from 12 - 16. I think they are great, they have so many valid, thoughtful and interesting opinions. Every day I hear a new insight. I love working with teens and would never swap it for younger kids or adults. You are definitely NBU.