tell me about your lovely teenage son

[beclev24]

I have 3 young DS's and when I read about teenage boys it just seems so horrifying- I hear so many stories of horrible, disrespectful young men who have little to no relationship with their mothers and keep getting into trouble etc, while people describe teenage daughters as their best friends etc. (I'm sure I'm oversensitive to this but have really been hearing it a lot lately plus lots of statistics about teenage boys underachieving in school/ careers etc/ getting into crime etc)

Can anyone tell me lovely things about their teenager or adult sons to cheer me up?

Thank you!!

It's not all sunshine and roses; the 14yo can be stroppy and rude (especially when he is hungry) but the good vastly outweighs the bad.

The model I have, malfunctioned intermittently from 14-16 when red mist poured out of it with a lot of hissing noise, but it is lovely to have in the home and is working perfectly now. I wouldn't be without it and often snuggle up with it, despite its size.

Don't know what you've been reading / listening to.
People post, or things make headline news when they go wrong.
'Everything is hunky dory and my teenager is lovely' doesn't really make the headlines. Same with lads or girls.
My ds (in 20s now) is lovely, as are my dds.

This thread has come at just the right time as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with love for my two tonight.
They are 15 and 19 and just gorgeous.
Enormously kind and loving. Bright, beautiful, thoughtful.
Both doing exams at the moment and handling it really well. Talking about their feelings. Keeping calm.
I just adore them.

Yep, another Mum with two teenage sons who are lovely.

Ds1 is 16 and especially kind and caring, he comes into my room every morning and hugs me, I set up music for the shower for him so it is a surprise. Right now it is One Vision by Queen because he is sitting his GCSEs, yesterday was Eminem Lose Yourself.

Ds2 is 13, quirky and funny. Very sweet, offers me cups of tea, makes me laugh every day.

Yes at times they are awful but 95% of the time they are best friends, thoughtful towards each other, me and DH. Every day when they hear Dh's car pull onto the drive they stop their computer game if possible and get up to greet him, take his coat etc.

Early on I told them I would not tolerate them speaking disrespectfully to either me or Dh, and explained why. Everything is up for negotiation, we have family meetings about stuff. We listen, they listen.

Mine is 16. 6ft 3 and totally gorgeous. He has been the whole way through. Funny, talkative, kind and even tempered. He’s never liked to be cuddled, even as a baby but tolerates the odd one I sneak in although he sticks his head on top of mine he’s so tall.
He waits every night to be tucked up, and I sit on his bed for half an hour and he tells me about his life at school or what’s going on with his friends or random facts from the internet about one of the gazzilion sports he likes or discusses something he’s heard on the news or somewhere.
He’s the best - boys are ace!

I have 2 ds (now young adults) and the teenage years were fantastic. I loved being a mum of teens, Both mine were (still are) funny, kind, clever and strongly principled. I have never laughed so much as with those two during their teen shenanigans.

Of course they pushed the boundaries. That's growing up. But by the time they're teens you have no control and you just have to trust them and trust that you've instilled enough decency in them for them to make sensible decisions.

Enjoy your boys.

I have two teenage boys. They are polite, hardworking, and are excited about going off to uni and getting jobs. DS2 gives me massive cuddles and sometimes hoovers the house to surprise me. DS1 brings me cups of tea and helps his brother with homework. When DS2 was struggling socially, DS1 just hauled him into his own social circle so he felt less alone. DS1 and a close friend of his (also a teenage boy) have baking days and bring gorgeous cakes round to share with both families. DS 2 hand draws cards for me every birthday - making detailed copies of work by my favourite artist. They are so lovely I frame them.

Where do I start?
I had no experience of boys, no brothers, no nephews etc. My second born arrived, and DM said “What do you DO with a boy?” Not a great start.
DS is at Uni now. Much as I love his older and younger sister, no one can beat a little DS saying “mummy you look so beautiful” when you are on your way out, must say he has stopped it now, but between 3 and 7, his little face was full of wonder at my “transformation”
We share a love of movies, fine food and he managed to get me into rugby with ease, something my DH had failed to do.
DS is not particularly academic and we have had frustrations over the years with his laid back attitude to school but he did what was needed to get onto the uni course he wanted.
All DS’s mates have been great lads, once again something I could not say about some of my DDs’ tricky friends over the years.
DS is about to spend his second summer working overseas in a school for challenged young people.
Nothing beats a cuddle from a grown son towering over you.
DS is certainly no saint, will game endlessly and make laziness a specialist sport but the pleasure he has bought to our family is immeasurable and he is the only person able to cheer any of us up whatever stresses we are under and frequently mediates successfully between his sisters...and he was the cutest choirboy
Honestly beclev, my friend with three young adult DS is treated like the queen in her family, my DDs can be pretty cutting in a way their brother is not. Have fun.

My nearly 15 year old, can be a mumbling grumpy sweary sod. But he is also a kind, funny, cuddly, boy, he rarely wants to go out, I almost have to push him out of the door. I have such a great relationship with him, love him to bits. We've recently found out dd has autism, he has calmed down with her, explains things, is great with her.

Mine are in their 20s now. DS1 was one of a group of boys who realised a school friend was struggling with his MH in their first year at Uni. Organised a rota to ensure he wasn't alone at weekends and contacted his mum.
DS2 more sparky but also kept an eye on a stuggling fellow student. Was diagnosed with dyslexia in 6th form and then mentored others.
Both are still very good at hugs- even with their dad. Like a good shop (especially with my credit card!) Good company, - mind you they claimed that the only thing worse than going to the gym with your brother is going to the gym with your mum- but they did!

Mine is 16. He's kind to his little sister and his much younger cousins, loves his family and extended family. He likes steam trains and making models and does judo. He games and sometimes when it's going well I look into his room as I am passing and he's doing a crazy dance at the same time as playing because he's so excited he can't keep still . He is on twitter and he retweets stuff that makes me so proud. When I cry at movies he puts his arm round me and when we go somewhere together he links arms with me across the roads. Sometimes I will say something that makes him laugh and he kind of looks down and just shakes with silent laughter. He plays silly games with his sister, that she creates and he just goes along with and sometimes they walk off ahead of me and chat and laugh together and it's my most favourite sight in the whole world ❤️

Raised 3 boys, 2 girls. Youngest boy just turned 18. I have to say I adore him. Yes he can be lazy. He's very black and white in his views (which I find with all young people). He's kind and courteous to me. Still gives me big hugs. Brings me a cup of tea. We laugh like a drain about the same things and talk about quite personal issues because he trusts me not to judge, and I appreciate his openness. If I ask him to help with anything he's on it. I'm gonna miss him when he flies the nest next year. He's aiming for the police force and I think he'll be brilliant. We've been through such crap as a family and I so admire his resilience.

My ds is pretty gorgeous: sensitive, well-mannered, good company, ridiculously well-behaved.

I work with teenagers. A few of them are total horrors, a few more are total horrors but with good reason, some are just a bit...bland. But most of them are lovely, fun, kind, interesting young people. Boys and girls. There is literally no difference. About the same percentage in each of my above categories.

I have two (18 and 17), neither particularly affectionate but then we aren't really a touchy feely family. The do however know that they are loved and are are thoroughly lovely people. They've not given us a bit of bother and are funny, trustworthy, hardworking and caring.

My 16 year old is amazing as are all his friends. He can be a bit grumpy and he’s utterly incapable of hanging up a towel or putting his dirty underwear in the wash but he’s kind, funny, thoughtful, clever, hardworking and empathetic. I couldn’t be more proud of him if I tried.

What a lovely thread!! I feel a bit teary. I forgot to add - they eat, and eat, and eat...then need a snack

I’ve got 2. They’re both delightful in different ways. They’re both very funny and are very loving, they take it in turns to sit and chat with me if I want. I’ll hear one say to the other ‘uuurrrggghh your turn, she’s needy today’ and then the other one comes down and makes conversation about school and their friends because they know I’m nosy. Or we all sit and talk together or we sit on our phones in peace and they show me memes. They are bliss. And a pain in the backside.

I hear negative things about teen girls and boys in equal measure, I guess you find what you look for 🤷🏻‍♀️

My 17yo DS is the best thing ever. He’s kind, loving and hardworking. He’s never grunted at me and has been this way all the way through his teens. He cares for his younger sister and is working hard at college even though he found his GCSEs tough going he didn’t give up. He went out and found himself a Saturday job which isn’t easy - he helps around the house. I couldn’t love him more. I don’t recognize any of the media’s description of young men in my son or any of his rugby teammates - you’ve got so much to look forward to!

I've just sneaked a wee look at sleeping DS after reading this thread. All skinny legs and messy hair at 15 and I swear that when he's asleep I can still see a chubby wee 2 year old tucked up in bed.

My DS is 21. He's kind, caring, empathic and considerate. He's so hard working, set up his own business at 17. He did have a few 'moments' during his teenage years. He tended to fly off the handle at minor things, but was a pretty affable young man. My DD(30) was the nightmare child from about 14-15. I could have gladly given her away

My ds is 27 now, he did go through a grumpy mumbling stage in his teens but that was as bad as it got, never been in any trouble, always got good reports at school and college, he's really family oriented, he loves playing games and quizzes with his younger sisters and he will spend hours doing jobs around the house for his grandma, he's good company and will do anything to help someone out, he makes me proud every day.

Mine has been delightful although he's out of his teens now. Hard working, caring, sensitive and loving. And always hungry.

DS is nearly 19. He had a difficult few years in his early teens being bullied, but joined army cadets and it changed his attitude and status at school. He is a great chef, has a good sense of humour, isn't too embarrassed to be seen out with me - we have just been out for dinner together.

He spent the last 18 months caring for his terminally ill dad, and is struggling with grief at present, but even so I get very little attitude, he is a home body who doesn't stay out all night except when he's on a night shift, and doesn't take drugs. He's no angel but he's lovely.

I have a 15 year old. He’s lovely. Occasionally off the rails and the usual getting drunk etc but he’s got a plan for his life, a part time job, is wonderful with his girlfriend, and still gives me hugs and tells me he loves me every night.
I have two stepsons who are grown up now but lived with us in their teens. Yes there were issues and sometimes a grunt seemed to be the sole communication but no real problems - or at least none that now in retrospect didn’t really matter in the long run (one was expelled from private school just before A levels but has a great job now). Really I think teens get a bad rap. Both my kids’ friends are generally kind, caring and respectful.