Benefits of having teen boys

[MrBirling]

Does anyone else love having teenage sons. I am lucky enough to have two and they're so bloody useful. In the garden I put them to work lifting heavy stuff. We collected a car load of soil the other day and it took so little time to fill up the bags. Pop into b&q and all the heavy stuff gets loaded up. Last year we dismantled a shed which DH and I would never have managed alone.

Anyone else find them useful to have around despite the cost of food and the nagging to get homework done.

Aww sweet boys

You raised your kids well

Unfortunately in my family it was different. my brother refused to do anything in the house. It was a struggle to even get him to do his own dishes. Male cousins too. Grown up now and I’m the one helping my elderly sick aunt and uncle because their boys can’t be bothered. I even get calls asking for help while they are right there, visiting, sitting on the couch at their parents house. Ridiculous

I have a lovely teenage boy. To be honest he's a bit shit about helping around the house or garden (unless I ask lots and lots and lots of times) but he's funny, happy, good company and gives lots of hugs

As I was walking back from
the station last week, one of the houses had this amazing, practically new, cat house/tree things outside. I knocked to check it was available for taking, it was, the owner was delighted to pass it on. I was delighted with my free loot, but the thing was massive and heavy. I made it about 5 doors down, called 15y DS who promptly ran from home to meet me, threw the thing over his shoulder and walked back home with it, like he was carrying a bean bag. The cat was delighted 😀.

Mine are bringing the washing in and clearing up after dinner - while I sit down with a glass of wine after a busy day at work.

Yes they are very useful and nice boys - but omg they eat so much food 😂

Mine is very handy for high-up jobs, and he drives me to the local woods on his two afternoons off college for a lovely walk with the dog. He was also blooming amazing the other day when I managed to pull eight tiles off the bathroom wall and smash them in the bath 😳 He came to B&Q with me (twice) and helped me to patch it all up so well that when DH got home and I confessed what I'd done, I genuinely couldn't tell which were the new tiles, and he didn't laugh once at my ineptitude. When I was standing in the bath desperately holding the last two tiles up until they'd stuck, he went 'Mum, turn round' and he was standing there with a chocolate to pop into my mouth. He drives me demented at times but he's a good lad!

I have 3 and they're all amazing. After each one the amount of comments I got about how sad I must be that I don't have a daughter was infuriating and so bloody rude. I couldn't be happier, they're a delight and always have been, each completely different but I wouldn't change anything.

Aww this is the loveliest thread ever to read, I have been dreading the teenage years so this gives me hope ❤️

Mine’s crap at physical stuff as he’s dyspraxic and only at the very start of the teenage years, but he’s very cuddly and is the only one in the house who notices (and compliments me) when I’ve had a hair cut or am wearing a new outfit.

We plumbed in a new dishwasher yesterday. He has unfeasibly long and bendy arms and I’m handy with a wrench. Today we went to the beach. He’s adorable and makes a great cup of tea.

I have 5 boys (men), all grown up now but they were lovely teens - kind, funny and great company. I miss them loads now they've all moved out!

Yes, all of this. It's great. A winning combination of excellent company and usefulness.

We have plug hole blocking hair. I think eldest DS is part werewolf given the amount of hair all over the shower after he's been in it.

My daughter has just become a teen so I'll have to see how things go with her.

My lovely boy is 17. He is the kindest, calmest person. He cheerfully runs errands with me - I don't really need his help; I just love his company. He is at least a foot taller than me, and we still do a silly joke that he might be as tall as me by Christmas this year, like we used to say when he was younger. There is something so sweet about a teenage boy - so much pressure to act like the man-sized human they are, but sometimes still a baby who needs his mum. He fills my heart with joy and hope. Also, if he doesn't clear those bloody plates out of his bedroom soon I am going to scream.

I'm so glad it has given you hope! I do think teenagers get a bad rap generally - it's a different relationship to having small children, more collaboration and negotiation and giving them room to grow. But so lovely to see them forming their own opinions and finding their passions and talents. They may not seem like they need you as much but they do - knowing that you're on their side and will be there to help when they falter is really important.

Mine are terrible with stuff around the house. I mean, of course they will lift heavy things etc, but washing, laundry etc, absolutely not.
However, they’re protective over me, care deeply, are good fun. They keep me young, they take the piss out of me (nicely!), they’re happy to give their opinion (when asked) about my hair, makeup , clothes. Does this look ok, too tight, too bright,? Etc.
They are open with me and are comfortable confiding in me. I feel privileged to have them.
They can also be complete PITA’s sometimes 😀

I have a 15 year old boy child. I bought a new bike the other day - the guys in the shop loaded it in the car, didn’t even have to ask the boy and he’d unloaded it and popped it in the garden for me (after having a go first, of course!)

He has his fair share of grumps but overall he’s ace, towers above me and gives great hugs. He tells me he loves me at the end of all phone calls too.

It's funny OP as me and my sister (both girls) did all the heavy lifting at home. Our darling DB was known for having "soft hands" and never pitched in with that kind of stuff lol. Tbh nothings changed 20 years later!

I adore mine, he gives the best hugs and always asks if I am ok/how is my day etc. He will even say "love you Mum" in front of his mates.
He helps with the food delivery (well he does eat most of it) and speed talks at me about whatever the latest game he is playing online is about and his Manga
He also shares my love of "bad" movies and is the only other person in the house who will watch The Meg etc with me.
He also spills The Tea about whats going on at school
DD is also wonderful BUT she has gone to uni now and DS knows how much I miss her so makes sure he spends extra time with me.

This is soo lovely, I have two and they are both fabulous, very helpful, don’t strop to me (bicker with each other sometimes and eldest and DH can be tricky…), endlessly amusing, happy to watch tv with me, just need exercising and feeding regularly! The hugs in particular are very much appreciated!!

Mine is past the teen years now, but still lovely, loving and cuddly. I miss having him at home because as well as being tall and strong and useful, he also has a “spelling superpower”. I have to look things up now. 😥

My teenage boys are the BEST.

Although gardening is not their thing, they have many other skills;

They are great at opening jars.
Take the dog for a walk
Come shopping with me and push the trolley and scan the labels (teens, but toddlers inside wanting to beep the food)
Put the shopping away
Cook fantastic meals, bake bread, cookies and cakes and make ice cream
Make me cups of tea and coffee
Ask me how my day was and if I’m ok
Tell me about their girlfriends and ask advice
Will hoover up leftovers so no food waste

Also

Go to concerts, gigs and cinema with us
Go the gym with me and correct my errors
Go for a walk with me and tell me what’s on their mind, and their hopes and dreams
Tell me I’m lovely and the best mum in the world
My youngest always gets the 1% and most of them right and we are aghast
Loads of banter and funny chat and laughter
loads of hugs and kisses, even in front of others
Watching a movie or TV together with a box of choccies

Mine are the loveliest, most hard working, funniest, handsome boys and I am so proud of them and so grateful for them in my life.

Today mine let me squeeze a few of his spots. Absolute heaven 😂

Love this thread. I've got 3 teenage boys. Ds2 goes up in the loft for me, ds1 cuts the grass and ds3 is fiercely protective of the little ones.

I have two teenage boys - they are sweet, funny and awesome! And my teen girl is too

He’s not a teenager yet, but I am already finding my 6 year old son a godsend with helping me learn more about modern technology 😂 he’s also a lovely little gardener already, does a fab job helping me rake the leaves, weed and water. Offers to do these without me even asking, bless him 🥰