to think that people who don't have teenagers

[MitchyInge]

. . . should either stay away from the teen section or accept that their contributions are unwittingly hilarious at best or downright insulting at worst?

Broadly agree with laweaselmys- think that people who post thoughtfully about their views or previous experiences can sometimes give great advice/a different perspective even when they are posting in topics that aren't currently relevant to their own family situation. I'm sure people's views do often change somewhat when their own kids hit the developmental stage in question though and I sympathise with the frustration of hearing completely naive views from the uninitiated!

Me too , Hassled, me too. But strangely I hadn't really thought about it until I saw your post.

I obviously live deep down in Deepest Denial-land.

Mine aren't teenagers yet. I am worried. You mean the naughty step doesn't work once they get bigger than you??

I don't contribute btw, or even look. I've got enough to contend with now without knowing whats coming my way. Skips away lalala-ing

I think parents without teens do have good opinions to add to the threads. Sometimes, it's better for someone completely on the outside. (i.e. not experienced the sheer hell delight that is a teenager)

Before I had DD, I had strong ideas about how I was going to drag her up and on the whole I have suceeded, I believe. I had lots of comments from parents who said, 'you have no idea, until you've had one', which to a certain extent is true, but one more idea in the pot, is always welcome. (Even if you do mutter like said teenager, 'you just don't understand.)

I have a teen, pre-teen and a 2yr old. The 2 year old is a dream - I was thinking he is just an easy child, but now you mention it, perhaps it's just all relative!

I know the kind of posts you mean, the ones that make you sound like you are stupid for not taking the obvious course of action - when you wouldn't be posting in the first place if it was that simple. But I don't think anyone should stay away from the section, who's to say someone with younger children might not have some good ideas? And usually people are just trying to help. Just ignore those you find insulting and take comfort in the fact they have it all to come

noddyholder oh that must have been when he took her to get her hair cut.

I don't have teenagers yet but post very occasionally if the thread reminds me of my adolescence.
I wouldn't dare give advice though!

Everybody remembers being a teenager though - (much better than being a toddler!) and sometimes recollections from doing the same thing as a teen can be useful, IMO.

I think this hits the nail on the head - everyone has been a teenager, and think they know what it is like. In reality being a teenager and being the parent of a teenager are poles apart as parents of teenagers just do not understand their teens and that is the problem

I have teenagers, and have welcomed some of the non teenage MN opinions - one or two were quite insiteful - remembering how self centered they had been whilst teenagers, but others have been extremely judgmental putting me the mum with a problem into the same league as their parent during their OWN difficult teenage years - not fun. But mostly I really, really hate the teenagers who are not a mum or dad at all. Their opinions are often cruel and revengeful.

Anyone can post anywhere but until you have a teeanger (and I've had three so far and two more to come) you realyl don't know what it's like.

My teenagers are perfect so I never need to post problems there

I had a toddler and 2 teenagers ..teenagers defiantly worse ...now have only a teenager living at home ...will it ever end ...

I would never think to post on the teenager section, as I am not currently in possession of one, thank God.

you are being very unreasonable

have not read any linked thread but i read and go on the sn threads and will from time do comment...

i have teens and welcome advice from non teen parents

why wouldn't you

if you dont like it - ignore

I think I'm only being slightly unreasonable

many of us without teenagers can remember what it was like being a teenager

me too me too

I have 3 almost teens 16,14,12

then various other including just 3 and 7 months old

shrieeeek!!!!

not saying that those with teenagers dont, just to make that clear!!
When I read the threads in teenagers, I do get all misty eyed as to the stuff i got up to. If i post, it tends to be in relation to how my parents set rules and resolved issues iyswim

i do occasionally think ' just you wait' when people come on and preach

how one THINKS one will be with teens 'chilled' 'laughing' 'laid back' 'best mate' can be a little bit rose tinted when you actually get ther

I have just checked my history in "teenagers"
Only two threads, phew