Teenagers are better than toddlers.

[alistron1]

They have religiously kept all our xmas traditions - chocolate advent calenders, stockings etc

They were hilarious at 6 this morning and loved it when I sang 'joy to the world' while I turned on the living room light to illuminate their gifts

They helped with cooking christmas dinner, and my 13 year old son willingly wore the hilarious/vile xmas jumper I bought for him. They entertained my dad too when he came round.

My 15 year old DD's spent 2 hours playing with the jokey 'design your own fashion model' set I picked up in home bargains

They've just been pleasant, funny, upbeat and a real joy to be around. No moaning, no being in their room all day, no arguing - a real glimpse (hopefully) of the people they will grow up to be. Bloody ace really

Mine have been brilliant all day too, especially by staying in bed until after 9am!

DS2(16) said to me "I love you mum, you're so nice. You make Christmas!" Awww, I had to wipe my eyes!

Lovely teens here too. Just a very relaxed day, some stayed in pjs, dinner took forever and no one minded, very competitive game of poker with loser doing the washing up (me, hmm). Totally different to the Christmas Day bootcamp exDH and MIL subjected everyone to for nearly 20 years. Why stress about sitting at the table for hours, eating everything etc when they are only little, they have turned out just fine.

My DS1 (13) has been wonderful today. He does look like a toddler in his brand new stripey onesie mind. He has said so many times how much he loves his presents.

Ds2 (10) been a bit silly and excitable but nothing too bad.

14 yr old dd1 was tweeting about how her lovely Mum and Dad had "made my 2012". Delighted with all her presents, which all had to be low-tech and inexpensive this year. Not only came willingly for a family walk, but wore a Santa hat all the way down the road .

[laughs hollowly]
dd 16 called us all cunts this morning.
However we are all friends now.

That was an all time Christmas low.

I saw your thread Mrsr but didn't know what to say.

Your Christmas sounds like mine, alistron.
Happy teenagers, grateful for presents, helped with all our usual Christmas traditions, bought OH and me lovely presents, no arguments or grumping...ate the meal with compliments and did the washing up.
A happy Christmas indeed.

Sorry MrsR - I know too well that it's a knife edge - hope your day improved.

I'm with you OP - well, not the bit about 6am I mean, that's one of the main advantages of having teens - you no longer get woken before dawn cracks.
Mine have been lovely, We've hosted, but it's been a lovely relaxed day all through - much easier than when they were little and everything was just such hard work

DD has been lovely. Came in with her stocking at 11 and has been in her PJs all day. We are half way through a game of monopoly.

Sparkling...things improved, thank goodness.

I have learned to leave her alone and deal with things when I am calm.
She is going through a bit of stress atm but nothing excuses rudeness.

My 13 year old has been mostly utterly charming and lovely even though he's got the flu. My 14 year old has been mostly acting like a huge toddler, he's got flu too but the contrast is startling.

ds struggles to spend any time with us and has entirely forgotten how to be nice to anyone.
Whenever I hear him laugh- I know it is because someone else is unhappy.

DS1 is very nearly a proper teenager (but he's more than stroppy/pubescent enough to qualify). Nonetheless, he's been lovely today. He was really excited about Christmas, loved all his presents, helped clear up after dinner and we had a lovely time trying to figure out how to do Star Wars origami together.

DS2 (3) on the other hand, has refused to eat anything but chocolate and popcorn (dipped in ketchup) today. Lovely.

DD did stockings for me and DH and left them on our bed last night!

My teens have been lovely today too :) But I'd choose the Terrible Twos over the past year, ANY day!

Really enjoyed mine today too.

14yo DS didn't complain about being woken up by 10yo DD at 8am (about four hours earlier than usual during the holidays), took the dog for a walk when I was busy cooking, did all the washing up for 9 people (with his cousin), seemed genuinely pleased with his presents... Teenagers don't (always) deserve their reputation.

Mines have been angels. They even washed up! Am so very happy.

What a difference a year makes, 19year old cracking jokes and getting on with dh famously, ds 2 washing up while i had a snooze before night duty and 13year old (welll, the 13year old..) perfect.

My DD (16) was great. Well, she didn't help unless asked but was cheerful, pleased with her (meagre) presents and sweet to her 94 year old gran! I feel so lucky with my teen. She has her moments but is still the daughter I love under the goth make-up.