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.

I only have one teenage boy now, the other 4 are in their 20s. But they are all very useful, especially as I’m a shortarse. They can get things from up high for me.
They also all do their own laundry, can wash up, do the dishwashing and cook.
The 17 yo installed the dishwasher for me. Tomorrow him and his brother are going to help take a radiator off.

One of the them decorated his own bedroom. It’s not the best, but it was one less job for me.

I’m very proud of them all, and quite amazed I have such sensible grown up children. Especially as I don’t feel at all grown up most of the time!

I absolutely love teenage boys. They are such fun to have around, clever, thoughtful, interesting and enthusiastic and hopeful. They are also useful in terms of being able to lift heavy things and do other physical jobs.

As travel companions they cannot be beaten.

I bloody love them!

My mum could never ask my brother to do anything. He might help if he felt like it but not as a rule. He lives abroad now and when he visits mum with his family nothing has changed. We have to remind him to contribute his labour to the running of the house and meals etc despite my mum clearly struggling now she's in her 80s. My mum of course blames his wife for not helping more.

DH was raised differently and he was always expected to cook, carry bags, open doors and generally be helpful. It's definitely rubbed off on my boys. Don't get me wrong I don't live with angels and they can cause me stress but generally they're good lads.

I have two teenage boys and I love it.

They’re funny, good company, tall so helpful to get things down from a height and help carry bags etc.

Also nothing prepared me for how lovely it is having your son hold you when you’re sad. They’re lovely lads and I’m very proud of them.

Teen boys are great. It's thanks to mine I'm in the top half of the work FPL league, can correctly identify a Maison Margiela fragrance and a Rick Owens shoe, have a passing knowledge of Atlanta's alternative trap scene and the Boston Celtics.

I like that they were born just late enought to have dodged the blue-haired introspective pronounery of earlier Gen Zs but are still thoughtful, kind and anti-racist / anti-sexist. They have great groups of friends and are affectionate, confident and optimistic for the future. They aren't perfect by any means but they make me proud.

I've two and they are great with things like taking the recycling out, lighting a fire and generally lifting and carrying things. They are currently away and I'm missing them.

DS is 14 and it’s my favourite age so far. He’s funny, interesting, great company, still sometimes curls up on my lap. I could do without all the farting though!

My 15 year old is 6 foot tall so he reaches things from high shelves for me. He also has a real talent for being cheerful, calm and positive. I have seen him helping so many people just by being himself.

Mine is all grown up now, but I adore him. He's the kindest most thoughtful and helpful person on earth. He was so easy as a teen. He's great company, funny and intelligent. I'm very proud of the man he is becoming as he branches out into the big world.
My teenage dds on the other hand are a different story! Quite the opposite. I have to beg them to do anything. If I give them chores, they pull the feminist card. Everything is permanently covered in fake tan and the eyelashes are feckin EVERYWHERE 😂. I love them dearly, but give me boys any day.

At my Mums funeral a couple of years ago I was searching in my bag for a tissue and DS pulled one (clean) out of his pocket.
I asked since when did he carry tissues and he said he didn't but grabbed one today in case I needed it.
I also know far more about Basketball than I ever imagined was possible

What a wonderful young man your ds is. I had to laugh at the basketball too. I'm an expert in tanks thanks to my ds :)

Mine is bone idle haha. Doesn't show the slightest bit of interest in any handywork, gardening, cooking etc.

It's taken me 3 years of daily nagging and a whiteboard with it written down to get him to do the dishwasher and fold laundry each day without him grunting and eye rolling me.

He's a 6ft2 ray of sunshine until he's asked to lift a finger 🤣🫠

Lovely thread to read as I have two boys and the older one is nearing teenagerdom.

My son is lovely, he's 19. Love spending time with him as he's just so lovable and funny with lots of amazing qualities. I waa seriously ill this time last year and in hospital for 5 weeks. He visited daily with my dh then began travelling from college every other day to visit me. He's very kind, thoughtful, caring and helpful. Always happy to help.

I need to also add, he’s super patient with his Nana who has osteoporosis and is rather deaf. He makes her tea and they watch Pointless, boxing (she loves it) and all her soaps.

I misread hugs as drugs

That could also be useful of course, depending on your POV, and the drugs

My 13.5 year old has shovelled gravel with DH all day onto garden paths and drive. Now that DH is in his fifties he needs a young lad to help him as he gets tired.

Ahh yes, I love have teen boys. Lovely thread. ❤️

My 13.5 year old also bakes cakes and the best brownies!

My two are brilliant, really helpful and kind and, yes, super strong compared to their old mum (which they love). They give great hugs, too

I’ve always taught teenage boys and now have one of my own. They are great. Sensitive, cuddly, funny, mad and sweet. Occasionally annoying but tell them to stop dicking about and they stomp off, only to return all smiles the next day. Lovely.

So nice to read all these comments, especially after all the Adolescence stuff. Some people seem to need reminding that boys are just people.

I haven’t needed to climb onto a counter for years to reach something

My tall teen is incredibly useful around the house. And he's the person old ladies always ask to get things down for them in supermarkets. A very good all rounder except for revision.

I have a fab. young adult DD but occasionally think it would be handy to have a teen DS for lifting heavy things or doing DIY. DD's boyfriend has come in handy once or twice though. And because I'm not his mother, he can't refuse. He eats me out of house and home when he's here though 😄.

I went to get some donuts in Sainsburys today and my way was blocked by 3 teenage boys all in black with hoods up. After eyeing eachother up a bit we ended up having a conversation about which Krispy Kremes were the best
I was referred to as "Bro" a few times but apart from that it was great!