Year 8. Is this it, then?

[Grammaticus]

DS1 seems to be realising, in the nicest possible way, that I am old and out of touch and he Knows It All. He keeps explaining things to me. Today these things have included the location of a building in a strange part of town that he has never visited before, and the difference between MI5 and MI6.

Yesterday he gave me quite a withering look. I had to explain that I would not be withered by my own son

This is it, isn't it. The start of the slippery slope.

Oh yes!!!

I get this too..... So I then start using big words nobody ever uses anymore, just so they know....

I could try that. But he is good, that is part of the problem. He is a really bright kid. I am going to need help...

Does he have siblings? Just wait till they gang up on you!

My 2 are way more academic than their parents ever dreamed of, and they run rings around us - in the nicest way - it's all good humoured.

Final straw is when they are also taller than you....... :)

and woe betide you if you sing a song that is meant for young people only - then you will be truly withered.

Today I was singing that new Katy Perry one "In another life, I would be your girl" - it was my downfall.

Has he patted you on the head yet?
If not it's only a matter of time.

He is still short. And so is his brother. For now.....

I'm 5'9" but everyone in the family looks down at me now!

DD2 has been able to spell better than I can since she was 8

I read the title and my heart sank as I really feel that DS has started slipping away from us more this year. I think in Y7 they are still a little unsure and need a lot of support, they go back older and wiser???? in Y8, and know it all.

Endearing though

I have learned so much from DS about the artillery and tanks of WWII, and also picked up a thing or two about fixing the computer and printer. Humour is the key. Try to keep it lighthearted.

DS has smiled indulgently at me from about age 13 for reading 'nerd books' and being fond of cups of tea. Yes, I have been patted on the head more than once... [hgrin] If he ever got impatient with me, wrt the computer for instance, I would head off for a cuppa and a mock sulk, which always amused him for some reason.

You can turn it all to your advantage and develop a good relationship with a teenage DS by feigning interest in whatever they are obsessed with (the T-34 tank is actually a favourite of mine now). We have had many conversations about the course of WWII, especially on the eastern front and the merits of this or that military figure from history.. Nothing to stop you sharing something of your own favourite things. DS now knows far more Monty Python episodes by heart than I ever did, and we have had many a chat about films though I am not really a fan of the Vietnam War genre, DS's insights have been an eye-opener to me in many ways. There's some of it that I just listen to and make rhubarby noises while he goes on and on cars and the possibility of colonising space for instance have me making mental shopping lists.

Oh yes, the singing of off-limits songs. I have got them all to do so much that they didn't want to do just by threatening to rap.

I'm not allowed to sing at all any more and I'm certainly not allowed to find anything funny. In fact ... I really should not talk about anything, as I evidently know NOTHING!

I am still quite useful for washing, taxi service, etc though .

I've not been on here for a while but as my DS1, in year 8 & 13 is trying my patience so much I was looking for some advice on why I am suddenly the worst and most stupid parent in the world.....now I know it isn't me, it's him - thank you :)

I use the phrase "It must be wonderful being 12 and knowing everything" regularly with my Year 8 triplets. I also say "I may not know everything, but I know a damn sight more than you about life".

Madlizzy - 12 year old triplets

Respect!!

I have a 12 year old DS and a 13 year old DD...

It really is like having two toddlers again - the tantrums and the very short attention span...

I find gin and valium helps.

it doesn't get any better ... for a while at least ... my y10 ds apparently knows more about orthodontics than the (highly respected, leading authority in the field who's hideously expensive because he's so eminent) orthodontist who's been sorting out his braces and more about his sport than one of his coaches (former world champion) and as for me, well of course I know NOTHING ....

I'm going to get the poster I saw once -"TEENAGERS! QUICK, MOVE OUT AND GET A JOB AND A FLAT WHILE YOU STILL KNOW EVERYTHING!"

this has really made me laugh! thanks. My 13 yr old dd (year 9) is constantly embarrassed about my outlandish behaviour. Would you believe I have the audacity to laugh, I sing along to Cher Lloyd and 1 Direction songs, I actually wear fashionable clothing and some of the songs she knows I knew the first time around. No wonder she is ashamed of me - I should be knitting scarves and reading People's Friend

I agree, y7...cute and cuddly, y8....gone!!! She has only been in year 8 for 2 months but she is growing up so fast, I cant keep track! I really hate how she makes me feel old and 'out of it', esp as I have only just turned 30 and can very much remember being her age!!

Love this thread, thanx people for making me smile
been a hard morning with DS1 (13yrold)