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Teenagers

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

We're merging some sections into the Parenting area

210 replies

MichaelMumsnet · 15/05/2019 16:36

Hi all,
We’re doing some work on making the Talk boards more useful and user-friendly for both regular and new users. After looking at some stats for the site, we think we could boost activity on the whole by merging some of the lesser used sections.

We’re proposing to fold this section into the general Parenting area.

This should increase the number of topics in the section - and hopefully lead to more posts and responses to members.

OP posts:
Firefliess · 15/05/2019 18:00

That's a shame. I like the teenagers section. I don't really want to read posts about potty training Sad

pasanda · 15/05/2019 18:07

Me neither. Teenagers present with very specific difficulties imo and need their own section!

ssd · 15/05/2019 18:10

I think teenagers need their own space here. Also as mum's of teenagers, we're all a bit older and there's less and less on mn that interests us, so we don't want to have to hunt through the breastfeeding threads or school places threads to find the teenager section

QOFE · 15/05/2019 18:10

Nooooo teenagers need their own section!

Sparklingbrook · 15/05/2019 18:11

That's a bit of an odd move TBF.

bestbefore · 15/05/2019 18:12

I like it separate too....not interested in toddlers.....

ProfYaffle · 15/05/2019 18:15

As a wrangler of a 15 year old I really appreciate being able to browse this board. Don't want the teen queries to get lost amongst dummies/slings/not walking yet etc etc

Waterandlemonjuice · 15/05/2019 18:17

Teenagers definitely need their own section, they are completely different to toddlers.

ssd · 15/05/2019 18:20

I've seen some harrowing threads on the teenagers section, parents of teenagers need support, we can't be lumped in as a general thing.

mcmen71 · 15/05/2019 18:27

Teenagers need their own section please

Luckything50 · 15/05/2019 19:13

PLEASE LEAVE IT ALONE.... many of us are struggling with enough as it is, please leave us this small sanctuary!!!
Generally you get things right but I think not this move, it really does lend itself to being a discrete item.

Bangingdoors · 15/05/2019 19:18

Please don't, I've found the teen section really helpful.

SoupDragon · 15/05/2019 19:20

I don't think merging the Teenagers section with Parenting is useful or user-friendly.

Dermymc · 15/05/2019 19:21

Gosh this seems a backwards decision. Parenting teens is so different to little ones. I don't have teens yet but often read these threads to prepare me!

Luckything50 · 15/05/2019 19:23

Imagine how terrifying it will be for all the parents of toddlers and tweens... not to mention all the mums of lovely 6/7 yo’s saying smugly ‘my dd/ds wouldn’t dream of behaving like that...’ Confused

SpoonBlender · 15/05/2019 19:24

Coping with teenagers is a very specific set of skills, adolescent brains being warped as they are. I think this should definitely stay as a separate forum. Lots of people (who haven't had terrible teenagers) don't comprehend how obnoxious, frustrating and painful living with them can be - they go crying to AIBU thinking it's just them, and they need the support group that's here.

Here and Site Stuff are the only places I ever point people to for further help.

TBDO · 15/05/2019 19:24

Do you mean putting it under parenting but still separate, or merging it with parenting so we have to wade through potty training posts?

If it’s been the former that could be ok actually - I didn’t even realise there was a separate teenager section and thought mumsnet parenting was all about the babies and toddlers.

If it’s the latter, then the site is more likely to become all about the babies and toddlers and not keep people here after they’re over that phase.

Reallybadidea · 15/05/2019 19:24

I don't especially want advice from people with a couple of toddlers, who've never brought up a teenager, tvm. Quality over quantity IMO.

TeenTimesTwo · 15/05/2019 19:25

No, please don't do that.
Parenting is full of optimistic parents with 3yos.

As has recently been seen by the 'parenting teens impacting your mental health' thread there is a real need for parents of teens to have a space. (I don't mind the tweens one going though).

Waterandlemonjuice · 15/05/2019 19:27

If you're going to delete 'parenting' but leave 'teenagers' that's fine but merging parenting and teenagers seems bonkers. I REALLY don't want to wade through "should I smack my reception aged child?" posts to get to the "please help, self harming 16yo" posts. They are so completely different.

NewAccount270219 · 15/05/2019 19:28

I also think this is a bad idea. I don't have a teen but it's fairly obvious that it's a section that serves a particular and specific need. And tbh it just causes friction having people at different stages trying to advise each other - I'm sure parents of teens don't need or want advice from people who have never been there, and tbh as the parent of a baby I can do without the rosy-tinted reminiscences - 'oh we'll mine didn't sleep but now I can't get them out of bed!' or 'just enjoy all those 4am cuddles, soon they won't want to talk to you!' aren't nearly as helpful as people think they are!

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 15/05/2019 19:32

Parenting teenagers is definitely a league of its own and it would not be helpful to absorb it into parenting.

It's really helpful to be able to read about other parents with teens experiences and for me, I feel less alone in my challenges and failings with my lovely teen boys.

So much of MN is geared toward parents with young children, it's nice to have our own bit.

MissMogwai · 15/05/2019 19:34

Another one asking for this to stay as it is.

I have had a lot of support from this section in the past and it would be a real shame for it to merge with general parenting.

Blessthekids · 15/05/2019 19:35

Agree with pp, leave it where it is please

Seeline · 15/05/2019 19:38

No please keep it as a separate topic. All of us with teens know where to find it.