to think we need a Mums of teenagers Union or something (lighthearted)

[Somethingfantastic89]

This would be to:

Tell each other what we actually let them wear and watch and buy and do, instead of hearing all the time "ALL my friends do it!" and secretly wondering if we're really the only parent on earth who makes their child miserable.

Share thoughts on how not to go mad every time we hear "yeah sure I'll do it in a minute" and then see our dear teen disappear for a few hours... or urgently need the bathroom... or suddenly remember a missed homework... or feel sick...

To make a list of all the things we need to change so they're happy, all the things they know better than us... starting by who we are, what we eat, where we live, what time we wake up, what we watch, what music we like, how we drive, the choices we make, what we cook ... I'm sure I left out loads.

And much more (suggestions welcome)

I think such a Union would be great
AIBU?

[Somethingfantastic89]

I promise you it's not just you UnRavelling
A "conversation" I just had with my DD (15)
DD (comes to me): I'm bored, I have nothing to do
Me: Ok, would you like to watch a film
DD: NO
Me: Board game?
DD: NOOO
Me: Do you have something in mind that you'd like to do?
DD: OMG You're my MUM, you've known me for 15 years!!
Me: ...
DD: You always say we can talk!!
Me: Of course, let's talk
DD: OMG You're not even trying!!!!!!
DD: (Stomps off)
Me: and a little older

[MsHarry]

Went to a wedding yesterday where lots of people complimented me on my lovely DDs and how polite and chatty they were etc. They save their devil side for us only it seems, Still, rather have it that way.

[UnRavellingFast]

fantastic that story is very familiar to me too! And as for the sweet little personalities in front of others- mind you it'd be mortifying any other way!

[Somethingfantastic89]

I'm back here because I need some support from Union Mums (I read through previous posts again, loved them, made me feel better already!)

Ok first, any wise mums out there who can tell me how to ignore the constant bickering between my two teens. "What are you watching?" "none of your business go away" "nice attitude no wonder you have no friends" "I have friends, it's just you I don't like" "You're such an idiot" "oh eff off" "oh muuum you've raised such a nice person" "yeah mum, tell this idiot to get lost" ... interfere?not interfere? None of it works!!

Second, WHY do they have to eat all the time? I find I have to say things like "that's for packed lunches don't eat it" or "maybe that third yoghurt should be the last for tonight" and I get eye rolls, huffs and puffs and "oh gee thanks mum" in a very sarcastic tone. Lost count of the number of times I've opened the fridge to find that I can't cook what I had planned because everything's gone!! HOW to stop this without being told that I'm destroying their self-esteem and self-image? Or will it go on no matter what until they've grown enough? (at which point the other two will be old enough to ruin us)

[bandicoote]

I'm in. Nodding sagely at mums of toddlers who try to advise us. That was me 12 years ago. Now I am the mother who was advised by DS(15) during a recent altercation - "Mum - use your words"

[blackdoggotmytongue]

Mine are just wandering round lip synching to ‘Man’s Not Hot’.
Three here. 17, 15, 14. 17 just got back from her first term at uni yesterday. It was actually truly truly lovely listening to them reconnect.

And then ds went back to the Basement of Doom.

MIL arrives on Friday. Somehow I have to shovel out the bedrooms and bribe them to be sociable. For 6 weeks.

[InMySpareTime]

DS got his mock exam results yesterday.
Despite being in the top set, he got Level 1 for English Lit and Level 2 for English Language.
I asked him what happened there (his targets are at least 5 or 6), he gave a Gallic shrug and said "dunno, didn't get it I S'pose".
He's not in the least interested in doing any revision, and clearly doesn't give a shiny shit whether he passes English or not. FFS

[Twinkie1]

I look at mums of toddlers and preschoolers moaning about how their children are difficult, boo boo, terrible 2s and internally chuckle.

Bribery, shouting and the naughty step are rendered useless when you've a You sized person in front of you being belligerent little knobhead.

[Twinkie1]

Maybe we could form gangs and kidnap them (obviously with their parents consent) to scare the unfounded confidence that they know everything and we're utterly stupid out of them.

[mrsBeverleyGoldberg]

I had my first 'well I'm going to do it anyway!' He didn't...

[Willow2017]

Love this thread as its good to know irs not just my teen who gets obnoxious especially when gaming online with friends. Let him stay up very late last night as i was watching Jaws. But apparently i was the most unreasonable person ever when i told him it was time for bed. His friend had left by then but he 'had' to do something first....i turned of wifi. Gave him ultimatun for coming upstairs and he blew it so list phone today...cue him asking me to charge phone for him and asking where it was today! Which part of telling him he wasnt getting it today was too hard to understand? Am i speaking in another language and dont realise it?
Anyone else considering cancelling xmas?😀😀

[LottieandSeth]

So. Did everyone survive the teenagers over Christmas ?

Mine were outraged to go for a walk on Christmas Day after lunch ....

[InMySpareTime]

My two woke up at 6.15am Christmas Day .
They've been pretty good, although that may be because they were after trainers/climbing shoes in the sales.
Today (because they have friends coming round for NYE) they both voluntarily cleaned and tidied the house.
I know it can't possibly last, but it's nice for now.