Good Lord, I bloody well hate having a teenager *quite* a lot of the time...

[misspollysdollyridesagain]

...That is all, really...

Am I alone??

A supervisor I was training with (counselling) said that teenagers that push boundaries and drive us up the wall are the ones who are developing the way they should. It's necessary to seperate and to react against everything about their parents. I have to keep reminding myself that what seems unbearable is supposedly something healthy and to celebrate!

I used to be really smug and say that 'mine were just so lovely' but they certainly aren't anymore and I'm trying to see that this is because they feel able to individuate/seperate. And it's a good thing! I could write a long list about the challenges of this festive season and all of last year but I'll spare you all.... :)

I love the teenage stage - much easier to live through than all that sleep deprivation whe they were little.

DD 13 atm so awful that we have taken her new phone that she had for Christmas off her already.
DS15 on the other hand, so lovely and mature these days, and at 13 he too was horrible most of the time, so there is hope.

we had ALL combinations yesterday - doing her art project - made me cry - "mum thank you, not all parents would support their kids to do this with it not being a "proper" subject, thanks for helping me get the stuff and listening to my ideas, I love that you don't just tell me it is a rubbish subject like some of my friends parents" etc...

followed an hour later by the "friendship" stuff - "x was supposed to go to town, with me, she cancelled again, why did I say yes to her when my other friends are off to town and I knew she was flaky, If I said no I could be in town enjoying the only time I have left before school, instead of being miserable at home!" (thanks )

followed by "thanks for taking me to town to meet my other friends - we had a lovely time"

followed by "why do I have to tidy my room? it's not like you care, you don't have to go in there you know"