Do you enjoy having teenagers

[Busymum45]

I don't at the moment, they stay up all night & literally would lie in bed all day long, I get annoyed by lunchtime so wake them, until then try to enjoy the morning to myself.
They seem ungrateful and rude sometimes and eat all the food....
Does it get better as doesnt feel like its very enjoyable stage of parenting at all !!!!

Other teen parents, please share your views ......

So far (eldest is 14 so I have a while to go!) I love it and find it much easier than having babies and toddlers. I had an interesting conversation with DS1 yesterday about abortion, and I love watching them developing their own opinions and personalities.

I’ve only one at the moment. He’s 14 and at times does my head in but generally he is an absolute diamond! I’m aware this can change, but I don’t think it will.

DD12 is a sniping, shit-stirring little know it all. She’s going to be a whole load of fun when those hormones kick in.

DS2 is only 10. He can be the most adorable child you’ve ever met, but when he kicks off it’s astronomical so I’m braced and prepared for what will lie ahead.

Mine are 17 and 19 and they're brilliant. Oldest is home from uni and yeah, she's mostly nocturnal now, but she pulls her weight around the house and is lovely to be around. Youngest is in Yr 12, getting on with school work, doesn't need any prompting to go to bed at sensible times if she's got school. They've always been really easy and sensible despite (or maybe because of?) having been through some really tough times with their dad's alcoholism, marriage breakdown and his subsequent death. I wouldn't be without them, the teenage years have been some of the hardest but also some of the best.

@Fairyliz I feel your pain, we've suddenly gone from a peaceful two person household back to four and it's doing my head in.

It's been a long time but, yes, I did enjoy the teen years, they were great fun and exciting. I never minded the long lay ins because when I wasn't at work, so did I :-).

My parents hated my teens.

Oh god, I'm loving the teenage years. I have two boys (15 and 17) and they are good kids. The youngest is the messiest and nocturnal and spends far too much lot time gaming but is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. My eldest hosts the nation and his dog in my garden most days and us ridiculously hardworking and dedicated.

Love my boys. They amaze me and make me laugh and I love watching them grow up to be their own selves with interests outside of mine. I love that you can see the fruits of the seeds you've sown in them but that they have a part of themselves that is totally unique and just 'them'. I love the fact that I have freedom and they don't 'need' me there all the time but they know their mama has their back always if they need it.

Of course they can be a worry when certain hurdles arise but despite them pretending you are old and have nothing worthwhile to say, they do listen and take heed of the advice you give them.

I adore their friends coming over. My eldest grunts a lot generally and as soon as his mates come round, I am suddenly the best mum in the world to him. The opposite of Kevin and Perry. His mates are lovely and are a joy to have over (albeit a bit loud). But the conversations you have with them are hilarious! Plus I have people to carry heavy things for me now...yay.