Today my teenager was upset because.....

[Positivelypatient]

On the back of the amusing threads about the irrationality of toddlers and their meltdowns, I have this for you.

Today my 17 DD is upset because I suggested booking an expensive (for me as a single parent) spa day for her and her sisters and me that we would go to on her 18th birthday. I hasten to add this is NOT in place of presents, cake and special attention for the birthday girl. Apparently I have made her feel worthless for suggesting she share her special day with her family.

My now 25yr old son acted as if I’d banished him from the family when 2 years after him moving out I let his sister swop bedrooms as it seemed ridiculous the largest bedroom in the house was standing empty like a shrine 😂 He last year, having not lived at home for 5 years called me a “selfish b*tch” because on moving 100s of miles and downsizing I refused to move possessions he had not looked at, needed nor even spoke about for those 5 years. He didn’t want them in his house but I was selfish for not wanting them in mine either 🤷‍♀️

I have had the temerity to insist we visit their grandparents for two nights this half term. 13 year old is furious. She might miss some exciting vaping in a park and also her grandparents are really, really old.

Can I play despite my little —fucker— angel being 8? She’s livid with me because I just tested positive for covid this afternoon and our planned holiday abroad is no more.

Because no, I’m not feeling like shit, I’m not gutted I’m missing our holiday which I’ve been looking forward to and I’m not down £5k which the holiday company won’t refund because it’s an old booking (moved from last year when we couldn’t go either because, covid.
Nope she’s just annoyed and it’s All. My. Fault.

10 years to go, only 10 years to go.

Oops strike through fail.

DD (nearly 17) had a total fit when I suggested that driving lessons might form part of her birthday present. Apparently I can just teach her to drive (in a 2L turbo-diesel SUV), and spend the driving lesson money on something more fitting, like a holiday to Ibiza with her mates.
I had to make it VERY clear that she won't look out of her bedroom window on her birthday to find a brand new Mini on the drive with a bow on it.
On the plus side, DS (13) brought the bins in before I got home from work.

@rosiejaune

A) you have no idea how old these teens are or if it is safe and suitable to not take them on holiday and leave them at home.

B) please don't be that person.

@DoYouLikeOwls

I don't get the stealth comment?

Somebody's hairshirt is obviously itching too much.

@Pendore

Oh god. I have a baby and toddler and this thread is starting to make me think toddlers are easier.

Yes, they really are!!!!

@PedrosPony

DD was too tired to press share on the google drive her summer homework was in and type in one tutors email address. Created Merry hell which took up far more energy if you ask me

Oh god yes! I totally forgot the maths homework. Two hours of wailing and moaning that he couldn’t do it, and when he actually read and did it, it was over in 15 minutes.

@Ilovemarmiteandwine

Years ago one Christmas I bought my then DP (now DH!) a mini break for the two of us. The two DCs (then aged 12 and 13) called me “selfish and horrible” for not including them in the arrangements. Their actions reduced me to tears and for me the day was ruined. DP told them he was going to come up with a suitable punishment and they’d have to wait until NEXT Christmas to find out what it was. The following Christmas morning he sat me at a dining table opposite the back doors, handed the kids hi-vis waterproofs and told them they were going to wash and valet my car to my exact satisfaction while I ate smoked salmon and drank prosecco. The neighbours came out to watch…the sight of these two grumpy teens washing a car on Xmas morning was quite a sight. Of course they had to do several bits of it again before the car met my exacting standards of inspection. They are now lovely human beings and have never forgotten that punishment!!!

I actually feel sorry for the kids in this one.

@Bogofftosomewherehot yes this one really doesn't sit right with me either.

He left them to stew for an entire year before exacting his punishment?

Something not quite right there.

@cricketmum84 glad I'm not alone. Nothing wrong with 2 kids feeling disappointed they were left out of a mini break gifted on Xmas day - then to punish a year later and the kids having to clean the car on the following Xmas. Nothing like screwing up the kids Xmas 2 years in a row for your own gain. It's selfish adult behaviour like this that has made me hate Xmas.

@FancyAnOlive

Your 13 yo is vaping?

Years ago one Christmas I bought my then DP (now DH!) a mini break for the two of us. The two DCs (then aged 12 and 13) called me “selfish and horrible” for not including them in the arrangements. Their actions reduced me to tears and for me the day was ruined. DP told them he was going to come up with a suitable punishment and they’d have to wait until NEXT Christmas to find out what it was.
The following Christmas morning he sat me at a dining table opposite the back doors, handed the kids hi-vis waterproofs and told them they were going to wash and valet my car to my exact satisfaction while I ate smoked salmon and drank prosecco.
The neighbours came out to watch…the sight of these two grumpy teens washing a car on Xmas morning was quite a sight. Of course they had to do several bits of it again before the car met my exacting standards of inspection
They are now lovely human beings and have never forgotten that punishment!!!

Absolutely nasty.

@ohdeariforgot

School bag she bought broke. Found a replacement on line, but it's out of stock. Apparently NON of the shops we've looked at back home, or here on holiday, have ANYTHING remotely acceptable.

At this rate she'll be going back to school with a plastic bag.

A farmfoods plastic bag

My preteen went nuts this morning because she couldn’t find her school skirts - I told her I’d washed them but were bit damp out of the dryer so I’d hung out on radiator. Cue meltdown about why I was so rubbish at doing the laundry (which should be done on weekend and folded away properly). It was a weird combo of irrational/unreasonable teen behaviour (because I had in fact done her laundry) and realising that she’s just got higher domestic standards than me!

Can I play despite my little —fucker— angel being 8? She’s livid with me because I just tested positive for covid this afternoon and our planned holiday abroad is no more.

Horrible way to speak about your child tbh. She's 8. She doesn't have the emotional maturity to appreciate that these things happen and she's allowed to be upset. You're supposed to be the adult here. And yeah ruining xmas for the teens 2 years in a row because they were disappointed not to go on the mini break is bloody awful. Are children not allowed emotions?

@MrsFezziwig

the main reason 60s teens wouldn't have said those things is because of the fear of being on the wrong end of ANOTHER violent assault by one parent or the other.

@LaetitiaASD what nonsense.

Yes, what absolute tosh. I was a teen in the sixties and had loving, caring parents. Never a finger lifted in anger, and I’m offended by that nasty post.

No kids! but wow alien sporn how do you all keep your cool.

DH just found big chunks of banana stuck together with Nutella stuck to tge bottom of the dishwasher thank feck he shuffled things around & spotted it Obviously DD as she's the only one eating Nutella & Banana

She's now in a strop because I asked her about it. Apparently it's my fault because I told her to put her plates in the dishwasher

Today my teenager was upset because she said she hates absolutely everyone in her family and has no emotional connection with any of us! On top of that ‘the world is just a revolving rock and nothing effing matters’ …

The relentless negativity is what gets me 🙈

My 15 year old son says I don't eat properly ( make to much noise ) it's got to the point when we go to the movies I get dirty looks & told to be quiet if I get nachos .. Iv given up buying them now as I can't enjoy them 😡

^if you stop bloody shouting at me I might do what you asked!! storms off you always shout at me! slams door. because you shouted I'm not going to do it now!!*

Well the 15 f#cking times I asked you calmly and nicely did bugger all so now I'm bloody yelling and you get the hump and have a tantrum because you ignored all the polite asks in the first place and now it's my fault you aren't doing it!?

That's pretty much daily in my house. As is the argument about getting in the damn shower! Have a shower - no. HAVE A SHOWER! NO! For God's I'm not taking you anywhere unless you wash! God you are so unfair! Storms off gets in shower, still in there after 30 mins, gets out dripping wet and still stinks - apparently didn't have time to actually use shower gel or shampoo in the 30 mins of water gushing over them... meltdown ensues and more strops.

Teenagers are basically giant soap dodging toddlers

I had the cheek have a cocktail with my lunch as it's my birthday which forced him to walk all the ten minute way home from school

I am inconsiderate because I pointed out that it wasn't great form to ask us to drive/collect 4 teens to/from a Halloween party out in the sticks and then have 3 of the 4 back for a sleepover commencing about 10/11pm this half term.

I salute notacooldad!