To think most teens are actually pretty fab?

[NeedAHoliday2021]

My dc are getting older (10-14) and I’m loving this age of independence, hanging out together and moments of real closeness. It’s not just them, their friends are lovely, friendly, polite. There’s moments of hormones but they support each other. I love watching them grow and have enjoyed every stage but everyone always tells me teens is where that stop and they’ll be a nightmare.

Am I alone in actually liking teens? Not just my own. Some teens are dicks but so are some adults. Most are nice though aren’t they? This is prompted by multiple Fb posts realising dc are going to secondary and parents are yearning for their babies back. I just don’t feel like that.

Mine and their friends are amazing. They are passionate about the environment and interest in other cultures, politics etc. I'm sure me and my friends were only interested in music, slebs and getting stoned at the same age.

My teens (14 and 16) are fab too.
I'm a secondary teacher and I do often see the very bad side of teenagers. It's true that the awful behaviour comes from a minority, but it's bigger minority than you'd like tbh.

Ah, I love this thread too! Mine are aged 14, 12 and 9, and they are all at such lovely ages. They are chatty and funny and just so kind. I'm a single mum and they are so respectful of that, they will pull their weight around the house and always tell me how much they appreciate me. I tell myself they are a product of my awesome parenting

Agree, I love having teens, it's definitely my favourite stage. 12, 14 and 15 at the moment and so far very little drama and lots of great conversations.

I’m not a mum of a teen yet but I’m an Independent Visitor for a child in care who is 13 and she is just the most fun person to be around. I see her all the time and get to hang out and do fun stuff, and I love the help I am able to provide her with. Her foster care has similar views to me in that she is just an absolute delight.

I work with teenagers (12-17) and they are, on the whole, pretty great. They can mostly hold an interesting conversation (insofar as they're not limited by the language bc I teach ESL) and a lot of them come up with ways of thinking about current affairs that I wouldn't have thought of. And even the more hard work ones are funny on occasion! (like the time a 15 year old boy used "get the fuck out" perfectly in conversation class and I couldn't hide my laughter).

The other day I was struggling with the door to my block of flats with my new wheelchair, and warily watching a group of late teen lads out the corner of my eye, as the sort of group to bully me as a kid. But one of them came up to me and asked respectfully if he could help, and was actually very friendly and kind.

I agree. Mine are 15 and 12 and this year is the most fun I've ever had.

They are interesting, interested and helpful in a way that younger children, lovely though they are, can't be.

I find teens far easier than the eyes at the back of your head stage even if they do have their moments

There must just be some cities that touch unlucky. There's been a lot of arson attacks by teens, stabbings, shootings, violence, killings, drug dealing anti social behaviour etc. Some areas have real issues. They're probably connected to deprivation, some to poor parenting and peer pressure.

People who moan about teens I just think..weren't you ever a teen yourself?!?
How hard is it to remember going through the same things. Yes it's annoying having to say the same thing 500 times and all the lost stuff too..when are they going to start taking care of things or even just putting a dish in the dishwasher!?
I'll really miss mine when they're gone though.

[quote NeedAHoliday2021]@Cecilia2016 sorry you’re feeling rubbish. Glad they’re looking after you though![/quote]
Thanks

I love my teens. I really couldn't ask for anything more; they are great company, chatty, interested in me as well.
My eldest's favourite subject is the one I did at uni which was a great surprise. My middle DC shares the same hobby as me. It's fantastic to see them grow as people and find out their interests and who they'll be. DH and I say all the time that they are a pleasure to parent 99% of the time.

I was a lot less pleasant to be around as a teen ( although my teachers wouldn't have thought so). But I had a much more turbulent home life than my teens and I was really angry in general, spurred on by hormones.

Having teens has been my favourite parenting stage. They are 16 and 14 and great company. Love spending time with them and we have had relatively few issues so far. Obv there is still time. They are hilarious when with their friends also, it's always great having them round the house.

On the relentlessly taking the piss thing (which I honestly love), one of the things they crucify me for is what I find funny and how I genuinely don't get their jokes

They will show me some meme or other, and see if I get it. 99% of the time I have absolutely no clue what could possibly be funny. I'm more of an animal doing stupid things / people falling over type of person, and honestly I have no idea what their jokes are about. Which makes it all the more amusing all round.

I remember my parents being the same with me at that age. The circle of life!

I love my teens. I can have a good laugh with them. My eldest was absolutely dreadful between 10 and 15. Nothing criminal but I say dreadful because he pushed the boundaries all the time. For example wanting to stay out all night but refusing to tell me where. He also used to lose his temper on video games and shout in rage. It was tough but by 16 he was absolutely delightful and still is. Now he's realised that home is actually quite a nice place to be so doesn't want to stay out. He doesn't drink either so no added stress on that front.

My teens are also fabulous. They're funny and clever and they care. I could not be more proud and happy. It's SO much easier than the 10-13 era. That dragged.

Yes ... I loved watching my teens developing their personalities and seeing the adults they were going to become emerging. There were anxious moments as they left the nest and took risks, but that goes with the territory.

Not a parent but I do work in a secondary school and volunteer at a youth club for teens and I think that they are fab too.

Yep, I work with teenagers, they are fab, and I'm glad they are the future.

Mine haven’t reached that age yet (2 primary age and a toddler), but my DP has 2 DS’s (18 & 14) and they are fab.
An absolute credit to their dad - 2 complete gentlemen. They are also both utterly hilarious Some of the stuff they come out with cracks me up. Listening to the brotherly banter between them makes me laugh until my sides hurt.
I also love the little glimpses of their sensitive side - almost like getting a little flashback to them as little boys. For example, neither of them will hang up the phone or go to bed without saying “love you dad”, even if the older one is with his girlfriend or their mates are within earshot.
Obviously I also see the flip side with all the challenges my DP faces with parenting teenagers, which I honestly find quite terrifying knowing my own DCs will eventually reach that stage!!

As long as I keep them fed regularly and the WiFi works I really enjoy the company of my teens.

love it @Noisenough that’s a fair point!

I very much agree. My DD1 is almost 14 l, and is a decent human being whom I like very much.

YANBU!

I have never related to the "nightmare teenager" thing. Both of mine, now adults, were lovely. I had so much fun seeing the world through their eyes, and they were truly wonderful young people.