In praise of our teens - share your lovely anecdotes here.

[GeorgeHerbert]

I was in the middle of a nagging to get things done this morning (homework, music practice) and ds called down 'I've got something much more important to do'. Silence -I went upstairs and found him curled up with the cat...'See I've got to stroke and love the cat'!.

Said cat is a rescue cat and has only been with us a few weeks and is a bit skittish.

Only a small thing but we often miss these small but precious moments.

[minnymoobear]

My 13 year old DS kisses me and DH good morning and g'nite- makes my heart happy every day :)
Lovely to read about our lovely kids!

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

I love my teenager too
He's really great company

[BitOutOfPractice]

I've bee out shopping with dc1 (16) today. Had a smashing time. She's great company. When I hit home my 13yo had baked brownies for me and been out to buy flowers. They are both generally a pleasure to know and make me laugh and proud every day.

I'm so lucky. I realise that.

[Cleebope]

This is so cheering me up after visiting my super negative DM today who moaned what terrible 'Kevin's' my Dc 14 and 17 are. Yes they can be 'Kevins' but so can I and so can DM! Currently DD 14 and chum are baking choc cookies and I will scoff as many as I can and we just had a right laugh watching BGT. Ds is gaming but at least he's not taking drugs or drinking or annoying anyone! I noticed DS has a mark high up on his door that I commented on an hour ago and he got all embarrassed. I think it's his target height to grow to. I think that's so sweet. He would never admit it though.

[ChairinSage]

My three teenagers are a far greater pleasure than I ever imagined. This weekend my 13 yo DS quietly but confidently defended a friend who was declared a nerd and a bore by his older (and usually idolised) cousin. I was so proud.

Both DDs are kind and their friends are all lovely to have around. Much prefer then at this age to toddlers.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

OP, mines a cat story too

Teen ds is besotted with recently acquired stray and is often found curled up with him,so sweet

[GetAHaircutCarl]

My teens are a pleasure.

Sure they have their moments...but overall they are great.

And they seem to have a circle of equally pleasant teenage friends, who, as far as I can see, work hard at school, look out for one another and have a whole heap of interests.

[Vango]

I'm going to dive in! My 14yo DS is an amazing person. At just shy of 6ft, his favourite thing at the moment is to pick me up, swing me round, and finish off with a massive hug. He is always smiling, always in a good mood and super kind. He's never missed a homework, takes great pride in his schoolwork, is interested in current affairs, politics, the world in general and really tries to do his absolute best. When I look at him I can hardly believe that we've created such an interesting, sensible and sensitive person. He loves to chat at dinner and to talk about his day. He kisses all of us before he leaves for school in the morning. I am so proud of him that just writing this makes me feel a bit teary. We are very very lucky to have him in our lives.

[Fueledwithfairydustandgin]

The hair roller one almost made me cry. That is so thoughtful

[t875]

My teen ( 15) does have her moments but she makes me tea / does dinner from time to time/ and keeps her bedroom tidy on a regular basis. Also great with her sister and the cat. Lol. 12 yr old is caring too. If I was to come in after work she would make me a squash and help me if needed it both are very caring to others too :-)

[t875]

Wow vango how wonderful. He sounds like he's grown up to a lovely young man. :-)

[t875]

To add all the teens on here sound great. It's good to read positive x

[Spanielcrackers]

I have three sons. The eldest two are no longer teens. I have loved their teen years. They are warm, caring, thoughtful and hard working. They are so generous with their hugs.
Last week it became obvious that my DH's much loved cat needed to be PTS.. My DH was devastated. Our 18 year old drove him and the cat to the vets and stayed in the consulting room to cradle the cat as she was PTS.

[CointreauVersial]

I get more hugs from my lovely 16yo DS than from the rest of the family put together. He is so cuddly.

[bigTillyMint]

My teens are very close and DS(15) is very protective of DD(16) who is somewhat more emotional/dramatic than him.

The other evening, as we were eating dinner, DD started ranting about how tired she was/had loads of work to do, etc. I (somewhat unhelpfully) told her to stop moaning which caused her to rant even more loudly. DS sympathised with her and asked if she would like him to make her a coffee, which he then did - getting up and leaving his dinner (which he usually shovels down as he is always starving!) whilst he made it. What a lovely brother he is to her

[Zadocthepriest]

Another vote for teenagers. So much easier than crying babies or tantrumming toddlers or stroppy primary schoolers.

Perhaps because I appreciated them, they were easier for me?

Loved their conversations. Loved how they stood up for what is right. Loved their friends. Now I can see how their childhood stubbornness or over-emotion or laziness has turned them into hard working, caring, easy going young adults.

[bigTillyMint]

Zadoc, I think every child has their moment - my DD was angelic from the start, but she/we had a very rough time from Y9- the start of Y12. She is still a bit wobbly at times, but things are much better and she is mostly great company now. Meanwhile DS, who was a very easy baby, was very demanding at home from 3-10 and at school in Y8/9. He is currently fantastic in all ways!

[frenchfancy]

I love my teen DDs. They are great company, always appreciative of anything we do for them or any lifts we give them. And they let their little sister sleep in their room if she has a bad dream.

Anyone reading this with younger children - don't dread the teenage years, look forward to the fun and the company and the Saturday morning sleep ins!

[louiseaaa]

I have 15yo and 13yo ds. They are both lovely with great/funny friends. Older ds stuggled at Juniors (academic in with a lot of sports kids) He was bullied but we only found out after the fact. However when he got to seniour school he started flying. He's now got a quiet confidence I really admire. eg his school have been on at him to get his hair cut (lovely curly chestnut locks, that he is proud of, I have to say they do suit him) He quietly refused to comply and he said that they were being sexist as girls got to have long hair (albeit that they have to have it tied back at school ... boys are not allowed to have it longer than collar length and no shorter than a no 3, no fancy shaved designs ect). Anyway he's staged his rebellion and he now has to have it tied back like the girls do, which he's very happy to do. Nothing from us except support for him to challenge the status quo.

Last night after youth club, that they both go to with friends they were all in the kitchen (boys and girls) whilst the others waited for lifts home (we are within walking distance but the others aren't) and it was a real pleasure to see them all joshing and enjoying themselves. I got a hug from the youngest (in front of the rest) and the eldest made his friends a late snack and tea (for me too)

On Saturday the youngest is having a sleepover and a bake off in the morning (three 13/14 year old boys) I know that the kitchen will be spotless when finished.

They come on holiday with us, go to festivals with us (love going to kids ents tent/area and entertaining the younger kids) As long as we ensure there is internet access where we stay!! They will come out on trips, for instance last year we stayed in Northumberland and went round the Harry Potter castle and to Kielder Observatory without too much grumbling

I'm not trying to be smug but I really enjoy them at this age... I never did the early years very well.

They're teens, they have their moments, but overall I think we're very blessed.