I'm a teenager, AMA.

[sicklyparmaviolet]

Just thought it might be fun and light-hearted to hear any questions you might have for a teenager! (or not, we'll see!)

Hi, @NoGelForHands thanks so much! You sound like a good mum, and if you're worried about your son it does take a hell of a lot to estrange yourself from your parents (so I would try not to worry yourself out about that part if you are)

[quote sicklyparmaviolet]@Sweetchillijam From what I see, she absolutely doesn't hate you. In fact based on what you've said, I'd go as far as to say she actually loves and trusts you (or she wouldn't feel safe behaving like this, given that she clearly doesn't feel safe behaving like that in school). Truthfully, I think she's really not happy in school - speaking as someone who was not happy in school and slowly got more upset that I still had to go, despite it being a very unhealthy environment. I think she's hoping you'll pull her out and send her somewhere else (or maybe homeschool if she's having that hard of a time, though that's a very big question). Definitely PM me if you'd like to

For the PPs who are worried about signs of depression, this is a course I have just done on teenage depression, how to recognise it and how to handle it while preserving your own MH. Worth a look if it's something you're concerned about.

@sicklyparmaviolet

Interesting questions once again, *@antonov* :)

I think marriage will probably change as much as love and relationships are changing. I think we'll probably have a lot more open and polyamorous marriages, as well as people advocating to never get married. I think there will always be monogamous "typical" marriages, but I can see there being a whole new set of traditions (maybe not in 30 years, but in the future). For example, we'll probably move away from taking our husband's name - not fully but it will be less expected. Hopefully there will also be more gay marriage as gay marriage is legalised in more places.

My definition of romance is probably doing things for your partner that you know will make them very happy. Doesn't necessarily have to be traditional romance (e.g. big romantic getaways and candlelit dinners) but anything that you know will bring your partner joy - though this may well be big romantic getaways, depending on your partner!

Thanks for the questions :) x

My definition of romance is probably doing things for your partner that you know will make them very happy.

That's what I worry about for my kids - boys and girls. Candles, picnics, sharing little things. All replaced because love and sex is slowly transmogrifying. It seems anal, spitting, throttling and chocking are gradually going to become the norm. That worries me.

@comebacksinging and @sicklyparmaviolet thank you.
I have discussed removing her from school on many occasions and she won’t entertain the idea she was truly glad to go back to school and see her peers and her best friend in September and get away from me!!
I think school and the uncertainty with missed school during lockdown, covid, GCSE’s and school piling on the pressure with additional GCSE revision after school most days of the week is really stressing her out.

Thanks for that well thought out answer OP. I don't worry about it until I see it in the news. You're spot on though, he's very quiet although speaks up in class when needs to etc just a bit self concious I think. I saw something the other day about How to speak to your teenage son' and that suggested speaking in the car funnily enough so should've been for girls too. You sound happy with your guy and I hope all works out for you. You're stronger than you know.

@Antonov The attitudes around sex are definitely changing and becoming more socially acceptable, but I don't think it's necessarily replacing romance (though I guess in some spheres it probably is). I can understand what you mean though.

@Sweetchillijam Sorry to hear that! Hope it all gets a bit better

Ah, but you are wrong on that. It is.

I think sexual preference is an individual preference, and while certain things are becoming increasingly in common, there is still an opportunity for romance and love.