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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Positive teen Christmas moments - post here

53 replies

MrsBright · 25/12/2013 20:13

This morning DD aged 13 who can be snotty, ungrateful, rude and dismissive about almost everything, opened her 'big' pressie of a Samsung Tablet - and squealed with joy, barely able to speak and just rushed across the room and hugged us both, 'oh thank you, thank you'.

Just lovely.

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 26/12/2013 00:35

DS2 who's 18 has been struggling badly with depression over the last year. But today he was on really good form & clearly enjoyed spending time with us as a family. We spent the evening after dinner playing card games round the table & he was happy & enjoying himself. It was lovely. A real sign that he is on the road to recovery. We have had such a nice day. I'll treasure the memory of the three teenagers all helping to prepare dinner & clear up afterwards. There wasn't a cross word all day from any of them.

HappiestSeasaltOfAll · 26/12/2013 00:36

DS 15 laughing while we played Logo board game his younger DS got.

NoComet · 26/12/2013 00:36

My 15y DD mucked in peeling spuds and chopping veg.

Both DDs (younger one is just not 13) sorted the dinning table.

And both have been lovely all day and Nice to GP's and my DSIS

IamInvisible · 26/12/2013 00:38

My boys (19&17) wanted to make happy today because DH is away with the Forces. 2 nights ago DS1 was lying next to me and I asked if he was excited for Christmas, he said 'not really, but I am excited to give you your present'.

They bought me tickets to see Robbie Williams, a peacock Pandora charm and Robbie Williams' new album. I cried when I opened it, they only have p/t weekend jobs earning the minimum wage.

They've helped me with the dinner. I came to bed about an hour ago and they are watching a film. Before they went they both came in, gave me a hug arms said "thank you for Christmas, Mum!"

HappiestSeasaltOfAll · 26/12/2013 00:38

DB I mean Xmas Smile

cjdamoo · 26/12/2013 00:39

ds 14 helped me with the clean up :D

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 26/12/2013 01:20

DD17 helped make breakfast, got dressed for presents (first time in 10 years) and was generally delightful.

In the runup she wrapped ALL the presents, cleaned the house, did her own laundry, allowed her cousins to jump all over while nursing a pretty severe whiplash from sports.

And she did something so kind and thoughtful today I saved it for last: our NDN's granddaughter is an irritating child, but her mother turned up drunk and foulmouthed (again) so DD fetched her, consoled her, laid her an extra place and wrapped her a present.

Just so proud.

EmpressOfTheWellOfLostPlots · 26/12/2013 01:31

Oh Maryz, that's brilliant Grin.

I bet it made your Christmas.

CarpeVinum · 26/12/2013 01:42

I can't believe I've graduated to this board. Seems like yesterday he was i dungerres with poppers at the crotch.

Today I got a full beam, all headlights working, massive grin.

And about 20 unrequested, actual contact with face kisses. That more than I've had all "I'm a cool teenager now" year.

He is so happy, so happy it broke through the thin veneer of standing on all grown up dignity. And that made me happy.

Very very happy.

I had a bit of an issue to overcome to make this Christmas happen at all. I was aiming for a not disappointed child, as is, I got a delighted one. Yay for Xmas 2013. Adn I spent less than previous years too. Not counting everything I had to spend to get past "the issue". But that wasn't his fault, just ...shit happens.

CarpeVinum · 26/12/2013 01:43

Maryz

(((((((((I'm so happy for you love)))))))))

bigTillyMintspie · 26/12/2013 09:44

Maryz that is great!

We have had 2 good days so far with a minimum of bickering/shouting, fingers crossed it continuesXmas Smile

Original poster
MrsBright · 26/12/2013 10:48

Sometimes they manage to rise to the occasion after all - we all must be doing something right as parents then?

Happy New Year Everyone.

OP posts:
thenicknameiwantedisgone · 26/12/2013 11:03

Ds1 (just 13) spent his own money going shopping with a friend and bought us all presents, including DH, me, ds2, 2dsds and his nephew. He never has any money so it was a big deal, and I was really impressed that he'd thought carefully about them all too. Although I will be sporting a 'rose' scent today... Xmas Wink

Both DSs also were really good at saying thank you and showing appreciation.

KatieScarlett2833 · 26/12/2013 11:19

Mine were delightful, appreciative, happy, well mannered and patiently good humoured with annoying relatives.
Best Christmas yet Grin

Claybury · 26/12/2013 19:06

A hand made card form DS16 inscribed with 'happy christmas mum sorry there's no present. '
He couldn't be bothered to walk to the shops and buy one single gift this year and we gave up suggesting.

This thread gives me hope that age 17-18 may be better!!

secretsantasquirrels · 26/12/2013 19:24

DS1(17) volunteered to drive over and collect grandma for me. DS2 (15) to my surprise went with him.
They had an ulterior motive, they went and bought a bunch of flowers each for me and my mum. Smile

flow4 · 26/12/2013 19:35

My DS1 (18) has a p/t job and was really looking forward to buying presents with money he'd earned himself, for the first time ever. However, his employer messed up, so he didn't get paid in time to go Christmas shopping. I thought he might freak out a bit (he was very upset and cross, and I know I would have been too) but instead he came to us with a suggestion: that we could all delay buying family presents until after he got paid, and have a 'second Christmas' then. I thought DS2 (13) would refuse, but he agreed.

Yesterday morning, we each had a few small 'stocking fillers', but no real prezzies. Both boys were a bit disappointed, and both half-regretted what they'd agreed. A year ago, any disappointment on Christmas Day would have led to bad behaviour, but this year they have both grown up. They were both pleasant all day long - no sulks and no strops at all, despite having no presents. I'm proud of them. :)

flow4 · 26/12/2013 19:37

Oh Clay, I had that with DS1 at 15/16 too. I found it very upsetting, and you have my sympathy. :( I hope your DS grows up a bit before next year... Fingers crossed!

loisismyhero · 26/12/2013 19:54

DS1 (14) bought lovely, thoughtful presents for all of us (I was genuinely thrilled with mine - it was perfect)and even thought to buy a present for me 'from' ds3 so that ds3 could have something to hand me on Christmas morning like the others and not feel left out (ds3 is six and has down syndrome). He didn't grumble, bitch or complain all day, complimented the dinner and thanked me for it, and rallied himself and his brothers to clear everything up afterwards and load the dishwasher without having to be asked. He is becoming really good company as he's getting older. I really enjoyed yesterday.

minifingers · 26/12/2013 22:33

DD has been great this Christmas. Affectionate, not too grumpy with her db's, and so grateful for her presents.

Honestly she'd be amazed if she realised how happy this has made me and DH. :-)

salopia · 27/12/2013 00:03

my sister bought my DS2 a mini wok ( he is 16) he loves chinese food and cooking, the plan is he will do a stir fry next year for xmas next year. his face was a picture ;
)

catwithflowers · 28/12/2013 08:20

One of my lovely Christmas moments wasn't the present itself from 18 year old DS (I had chosen that myself!) but the gift card which came with it saying how much he loved and appreciated me, how I was always there for him and how he felt so lucky to have me as his mum Xmas Smile.

Can't ask for more than that.

Cooroo · 29/12/2013 11:12

DD17 squealed impressively when she opened a box of Twinkies from my DP in spite of knowing they were coming due to him leaving them lying around for 2 weeks.

She didn't get anyone any presents though pleading poverty!

TaillessChicken · 30/12/2013 17:03

Seeing my teenager sitting on the sofa voluntarily hugging a younger sibling - and letting me take photos without complaining! She even smiled :)

Palika · 30/12/2013 19:16

Oh, I like this thread!

DS15 seriously freaked out last year at his brithday and Christmas - broke all the rules - and made this time miserable for all of us.

This year he tried extremely hard not to freak out - he stopped playing computer games the entire December (he knows that makes him prone to foul moods) - and he succeeded!! He was the best ever throughout the entire festive period. Ah, it's nice when you see them growing up a bit!

He also bought me a cup inscibed with my name saying- to the best mum in the world and GCSE supporter according to (his name).

You can just imagine the tears I cried - best Christmas present ever!

He was also extremely happy about the SIM city game I bought him.