Just become the pround owner of a teenager (boy), anyone got the manual?

[sensesworkingovertime]

Basically, any tips learnt from you lot our there in MN land who have gone through or are going through the teenage years? Many thanks in advance!

I'm still working my way through manual. Good luck

I am going to be the owner of a teenage boy at the end of June.

"Don't sweat the small stuff" needs to be your mantra.

My ds is 17 so I've a couple of years left. Can't lie it's been tough. I have a younger dc so when I can I try an spend a bit of one to one time with him. Usually pics and a meal.

They're not so bad..... however,

Always use tongs to man-handle his bedclothes into the machine for washing

Thanks everyone, good luck, esp SparklingB. Who knows, perhaps we can compare notes? Mine has been getting more and more stroppy and back sassy for the past 6 (?) months. I should think the main struggle will be that more and more it will be a case of they think they are right and you are wrong? Am I right Brighter?

I try not to sweat the small stuff but it seems to be DS that does. Everything is a huge drama at the moment.

Remember that going through puberty and heading towards adulthood is quite scary for the DC too. Quite often this anxiety is behind the moods.

Yes! My ds also had to deal with me and his dad splitting. I think it was when he went into year 10 when things started to calm down and he was "normal" again!

Sorry X post Sparkling.

I know what you mean about the drama

I'm still looking for the manual. I can cope with the stinky arm pits, I can cope with the mess, I can't cope with the carry on style seedy comments. {sighs}

When his mates come round it's like Beavis and Butthead sat on the sofa.

I thought I had the manual, but it's not working properly.

OOh dear Line maybe the manual has been updated?

Does the manual say anything about putting locks on your food cupboards?

I know they are growing, but where do they put all that food?!?

I hide food in my car boot but he can drive now so it's in my room. I have also been known to take the mouse an keyboard to work

I'm quite a newbie as my eldest is nearly 14. Tbh - nothing has changed - he is pleasant, chatty, showers... I'm waiting for the teenage years to hit still.

I'm more worried about ds2 - nearly 12 - he is much more teenagery!

I once took the broadband dongle thing to work when DS1 was spending all his time online gaming when he should have been revising for his GCSEs

I got a text in the afternoon (obviously just got up). The text just said "where is it?". I replied "in my bag".

I set the auto switch off parental control thing to go off at 10pm on weekdays.

DS still thinks it's all BT's fault...

@ Katie

We have to stay one step ahead of them at all times.

I'll have to try that, Katie.

Ds is lovely really, I just wish he'd cut the seedy remarks out.

Just carry on as normal and don't assume that just because they've hit the teen years there will be trouble ahead. Ds is only 14, and I know there's plenty of time for things to change, but it's worked well so far.
We re-negotiated pocket money, to allow for cinema trips with his mates etc. We chose to give him a (meagre) allowance, so he can control his own finances. We did this by working out how much we were forking out anyway ( iTunes cards, magazines, spends, etc) and offered him that amount on a monthly basis. It goes into his account and he can withdraw it from cash points. He thinks he's loaded and we are better off :) It is strictly only leisure money though; we still buy his clothes but, if he wants a designer label, he pays the difference.
If we are going out as a family, we always give him the option if whether he wants to come with us or not. Most of the time, he still opts to join in. We all went for a family walk around a castle and lots of muddy fields yesterday, for example.
Just make sure there are plenty of snacks in - we get through loads of toast!!

Just tuning in to my OP folks, enjoying the updates, please feel free to add any little chapters to the 'Teenage Boy Manual'.

DS worst habits at the mo are chunnering/muttering under breath in a 'I WILL have to last word/I'm totally hard-done by' kind of way. It's driving me and DH nuts. Not sure whether to just ignore it most of time or tell him to pack it in.

Selective deafness is the key. Unless he's swearing or being sexist. Then it's open season round here.