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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to point out that teenagers aren't all that bad really?

37 replies

DameHermione · 04/04/2012 16:44

DD1 (15) is spending her easter holidays revising. I don't need to nag her. she also works 2 different after school jobs (and is exceptionately beautiful too). Her friends are all a nice bunch too.

I took DD2 14) and 3 friends shopping yesterday. They were cheerful, polite and really nice to spend the day with.

Of course I believe it is all down to my superior parenting skills. But teenagers get a lot of stick for being difficult, rude, all smoking, drinking, shagging around and nasty. But sometimes, some of them are OK.

OP posts:
ragged · 04/04/2012 16:46

Agree that the vast majority get unfair press.
Also agree that the vast majority have at least one vile phase, though :).

Original poster
DameHermione · 04/04/2012 16:47

also - please remind me of this when i am tearing out my hair and about to murder them.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 04/04/2012 16:48

I think it's a shame the good don't get more positive press but good news doesn't sell papers.

lalaland3008 · 04/04/2012 16:49

Totally agree. When I was pregnant and standing on the bus two teenage lads were the only ones who offered their seat. I didn't expect it at all as I was pregnant not ill but ye, teenagers can be lovely and get a lot of undeserved critisism

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 04/04/2012 16:49

Mine went to work a split shift today, and in his break he went and bought easter eggs for his younger brothers and sister (with his first ever wages), walked 3 miles home to deliver them, then walked 3 miles back to work. Grin

LadyBeagleEyes · 04/04/2012 16:50

No, I agree DameH.
My ds 16 is also revising, in fact he's been going into school during the holidays for study club the last three days.
His friends are lovely and polite, a couple of years ago when he was 14 I took two of them on holiday with us to Lanzerote.
They were lovely, funny company.
I love teenagers.

Mrsrobertduvall · 04/04/2012 16:50

I agree too.
Having said that , dd 15 with ocd, phoned me in hysterics earlier, because ds has taken her toothbrush. Cue swearing. However she's all calm now Smile

Mrsjay · 04/04/2012 16:56

im obviously a superior parent too Grin Wink my teens are alright we do things together and dont really give me any problems have had huffs and puffs and hormonal stuff but thats normal for girls , dd2 and i like to go shopping dd1 would rather stick pins in her eyes than shop , dd2 had a girl say to her URGH you go into town with your mum , dd2 was a bit Confused

Newmummytobe79 · 04/04/2012 16:58

DameHermione I was just like your DD1 at 15 :)

... but was secretly out drinking, smoking and shagging (I also now know this is not big and not clever)

Enjoy her at home ... but don't let her pull the wool over your eyes when she's out with her mates

P.S I really hope her halo is higher than mine was ... which I sported around my thigh when out with my mates! Wink

Saying that, I think I've turned out ok but I will be checking up closely on my DC when they get to their teenage years!

Mrsjay · 04/04/2012 16:58

and dds friends are nice kids too so i do think teens get a bad name sometimes dont tar them all with the proverbial ,

Panamama · 04/04/2012 17:01

Agreed. A lot of them are actually working pretty hard at their lives, going to school or college five days a week and then working on the weekends or in the evenings.

LadyBeagleEyes · 04/04/2012 17:03

I know for a fact that ds has smoked and drunk with his mates.
I did too at that age.
Doesn't make them bad, it makes them normal.

Mrsjay · 04/04/2012 17:15

I am under no illusions dds are perfect i would be worrying if dd1 didnt go to a houseparty and get a bit drunk or whatever as has just been said doesnt make them bad imo ,

BlingLoving · 04/04/2012 17:17

Couldn't agree more. I often complain to DH how teenagers get such a bad rap. The truth is, that as a teenager, even the "good" ones are still out there exploring and learning and stretching boundaries. So yes, they're noisier and often a bit more thoughtless and someone careless and all those things. but that doesn't make them bad. When I see teenagers sitting around yelling and laughing and bigging themselves up, I don't think "Dodgy teenagers why aren't they at home" but rather, "haha, I remember being that age where it's all about how you look and are perceived and you wouldn't understand subtlety if it hit you in the face."

I have a friend who constantly goes on and on about how his children will not be the loud obnoxious teenagers he sees around him today blah blah blah. I was friends with him when we were teenagers, and sure, he wasn't drinking and smoking, but he was loud, obnoxious, opinionated. I remember! Grin

alistron1 · 04/04/2012 17:18

My DD2 has a paper round, works hard at school. DD1 has been working hard towards her GCSE's and that. However I am quite sure that they do get up to silly stuff 'off the clock' But yes, most teenagers are pleasant - some of my DD's friends have me in stitches with the witty shite my DD's show me on FB/twitter.

cricketballs · 04/04/2012 17:28

mine was like that at 15 - all change now at 17 going on bloody 21 Wink

EmilyPollifaxInnocentTourist · 04/04/2012 17:29

Mine is lovely too.

RevoltingPeasant · 04/04/2012 17:34

The vast majority are lovely. I work at a university and can genuinely say that in my 6 years as a lecturer, I can remember 1 student offhand who has been really rude. Thoughtless, fairly often, but not nasty, ever.

Most of my lot are polite and sweet and a bit flaky but generally bright and fun to talk to. It's always nice walking into the first lecture and seeing their little shiny faces all ready for term!

Mind you I don't have to clean their bedrooms for them

FrankWippery · 04/04/2012 17:42

Absolutely agree wholeheartedly. They are bloody marvellous. Two weeks ago my ex husband died, leaving my three amazing teens without their beloved Daddy (they are 18, 17 and 15). They have astounded me with their maturity and togetherness in the dreadful days since.

The older two DDs have A and AS levels coming up and are somehow managing to find the strength to focus on them. All the while remaining THE most wonderful older siblings to their incredibly annoying three year old sister, DD3.

DS is insisting on captaining his football team (they're topping their county league) as their Dad was their biggest fan until the very last weekend, two days before he died.

Teenagers rock, 'specially my ones.

alistron1 · 04/04/2012 17:46

Sorry for your kids loss Frank - they do sound great. Must be a really hard time for you.

DameHermioneEasterHarefield · 04/04/2012 17:46

Specially your ones Frank.

DameHermioneEasterHarefield · 04/04/2012 17:46

sorry - posted too soon. meant to say Sad sorry for their (and your?) loss.

FrankWippery · 04/04/2012 17:57

Thank you - but I really do believe that teenagers do actually rock, regardless. They're funny, moody, stroppy, messy little gits who eat me out of house and home and bleed me dry, but they are also us 20 odd years ago too Grin.

This past fortnight has just shown me exactly HOW bloody fab they are when the worst happens. And yes, DameH, I feel a tremendous loss too, even though we divorced a fair while ago, we were huge friends and, of course, we had three awesome kids together.

Ilovedaintynuts · 04/04/2012 17:59

Mine's horrible.

FrankWippery · 04/04/2012 18:00

Today Ilove, or everyday?