How to really upset a 17 year old....

[seeker]

Her-"Mum- can you proofread my essay please?"

Me-"Sure"

Later

Me "OK- I've marked up a few things- but it's a fantastic first draft"

Her "Er- it's not a draft..........."

Whenever any of mine ask me to proofread their stuff they get very cross if I actually find any mistakes - it usually ends with a huff!

My 13 year old DS does that. Then goes bananas if I suggest any improvements/spot any mistakes.

I find it terrifying saying 'my dd, aged 17'. How can they be so old?

DD got in a huff when she asked me to look at her PP presentation, and I gave her some tips. 'I don't want to change it' she said - so why bloody ask then? And she huffed and puffed a bit.

Easy here, I just ask if they want the teacher view or the supportive and uncritical mother, then proceed as requested.

At least with word processing, she can just print of a new copy.
Unlike the handwritten creations of my youth.

I remember frantically writing my final draft at the kitchen table with writer's cramp, in despair at the state of my handwriting.

I never write anything any more. When I write rare notes I am amazed at how indecipherable my writing is now, it is as if I have forgotten how.

Oh, Getorf, I know! 17! how did that happen!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm only ever asked if he needs to lose a couple of hundred words
My opinion is not generally sought, only if I can be useful.
But as you say, at least with word processing, it's easy to make changes!

My DD is a bit rubbish at spelling even with spell check. She stool gets huffy if I find a mistake after she's asked me to check it, tis all my fault apparently!

Ah ha! I'm not the only one then! My DCs NEVER give me anything to read now. As I'm a secondary teacher they occasionally said, 'Can you read my essay for me?' and then got incredibly huffy as I marked it as a teacher and made comments like, 'this part's good - but you need to expand on the explanation of Point B and include some examples to illustrate the point you are making'.....

DD2 complained to older sister that 'if you ever give Mum anything to read she just gives you more work to do'. Well yes, my dear. That's my job. And I thought that was what you wanted. Apparently I should have just said, 'Oooooh....it's LOVELY! Let me stick in on the fridge' as I did when they were little .

And they just don't see that there's no point in asking someone to proofreading a final copy! Teenagers!

But you should be thankful firstly that they're doing their homework and second that they allow you to read it at all I guess.

Seeker I remember talking to you when they were in year 7 and getting upset on the bus.

Now they are adults, near enough. My dd is taller than me, is driving my car, going away on her own in hotels. Where did my little daughter disappear to!

BUT flipside, dd is taking me to Le Gavroche for my birthday next month, (shameless boast this, I am so excited) she has booked it and will be paying ("we are ordering off the set lunch mum, and I'm not buying you any wine, and please can you pay for the tip" ) so it's very nice having grown up dds. BUT it's very scary.

fridayfreedom. She stool gets huffy !! Haha

It's hard to tune in the radar correctly sometimes - to choose between whether they're saying 'hey, read this fantastic piece of work and see how brilliant I am' and a genuine ' Is there any way I can improve this'. The original question form them always sounds the same!

I was flattered when my DS asked me to read his final year physics dissertation. Didn't understand a word, but I could help on syntax and spelling!