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Teenagers

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

My teen has spent 20 minutes pointing out all my faults.😣

134 replies

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/07/2021 21:44

But I’m not allowed to reciprocate as that’s ‘mean’

Who ever thought that miming to music on my headphones was a failing? 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Staywithmemyblood · 28/07/2021 09:48

Is this a stealth boast @ArseInTheCoOpWindow ? Only 20 mins - you must be doing a grand job 👍🏻

My DD(16) excels at giving unsolicited ‘constructive criticism,’ teenage style 😬 Sadly, like a lot of PP’s, I breathe too loudly. I also wear embarrassing shoes and sing out of time (way out of tune too, but she’s surprisingly tolerant of that 😂), plus have many, many more failings as a parent.

If she goes too far and I tell her to stop being so bloody rude she’s hurt my feelings, she tells me to stop having a ‘victim mindset’ 🤦🏼‍♀️

When she is grown and flown I hope she has 5 daughters, born 5 years apart, with the middle ones being twins, so she has at least 20 years of teenage behaviour to contend with! I feel like the mean fairy in Sleeping Beauty now 😂

mm8989 · 28/07/2021 09:50

My 12 yr DD said "your not going out looking like that are you..you look like an old granny"

I looked in the mirror, remembered being 12 (when it matters) and changed, when I came down she said
"ah that's much better, you have lovely clothes, you should wear them"

Sometimes they have a point😂 it still stings though.

beigebrownblue · 28/07/2021 09:50

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

But I’m not allowed to reciprocate as that’s ‘mean’

Who ever thought that miming to music on my headphones was a failing? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Of course it is, OP.

How insensitive and downright stupid of you not to realise that.

Next time you go out shopping with them, I recommend you burst into song with rendition of your favourite hymn.

'Onward Christian so...o...o...oldiers..marching onto war'...

Or perhaps that one is out of fashion....like me...

beigebrownblue · 28/07/2021 09:53

@Staywithmemyblood

Is this a stealth boast *@ArseInTheCoOpWindow* ? Only 20 mins - you must be doing a grand job 👍🏻

My DD(16) excels at giving unsolicited ‘constructive criticism,’ teenage style 😬 Sadly, like a lot of PP’s, I breathe too loudly. I also wear embarrassing shoes and sing out of time (way out of tune too, but she’s surprisingly tolerant of that 😂), plus have many, many more failings as a parent.

If she goes too far and I tell her to stop being so bloody rude she’s hurt my feelings, she tells me to stop having a ‘victim mindset’ 🤦🏼‍♀️

When she is grown and flown I hope she has 5 daughters, born 5 years apart, with the middle ones being twins, so she has at least 20 years of teenage behaviour to contend with! I feel like the mean fairy in Sleeping Beauty now 😂

Oh, I get the victim mindset thing as well.

I am a survivor of domestic abuse so I just answer back. Well, I am a victim thanks, what else would you call it? Works to some extent.

Also, introducing a matrix of oppression is quite effective.

i.e. middle aged women are also discriminated against according to the Equal opps commission.

But failing that

I take myself out for a steak and chips (we are a vegetarian household) don't have to wash up then...

Okki · 28/07/2021 10:03

@beigebrownblue "Next time you go out shopping with them, I recommend you burst into song with rendition of your favourite hymn.

'Onward Christian so...o...o...oldiers..marching onto war'...

Or perhaps that one is out of fashion....like me..."

That's exactly the sort of thing I'd do - and my DC's know it Grin

PrettyLittleFlies · 28/07/2021 10:18

You got off lightly. Mine spent a year writing angry letters to me. (they're fantastic and she'll howl with laughter when she's a bit older)

harriethoyle · 28/07/2021 10:21

@beigebrownblue Oh I love a good hymn! What about Bread of Heaven next time you need inspiration? Complete with the chorus bit where "til I want no more" is repeated in a rousing, and rising, crescendo?!

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/07/2021 10:33

It’s natures way of making you chuck them out. Like a cat with a 16wk old kitten “are you still here”.

ufucoffee · 28/07/2021 10:43

My answer to 'you're not going out looking like that are you?' would have been 'Yes, because whatever I wear, I'll always look better than you'. I can't believe some children are so horrible on here and seemingly allowed to get away with it. Sending you horrible texts? I'd remove their phone from them.

unsureofneighbour · 28/07/2021 10:47

My answer to 'you're not going out looking like that are you?' would have been 'Yes, because whatever I wear, I'll always look better than you'. I can't believe some children are so horrible

They probably got it from their parents Hmm

mm8989 · 28/07/2021 10:55

My answer to 'you're not going out looking like that are you?' would have been 'Yes, because whatever I wear, I'll always look better than you'. I can't believe some children are so horrible on here and seemingly allowed to get away with it. Sending you horrible texts? I'd remove their phone from them.
-----

That wouldn't really work with a slim, beautiful teenager though would it?

LindaEllen · 28/07/2021 11:08

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Yes they are brutal. I thanked her sarcastically for the unasked for critique.

All the times I’ve been her cheerleader, mentor, nurse, counsellor, cook, lovely kind mum. But l breathe too loudly apparently. And am dramatic. And pick fights with her when I’m bored.

Obviously l am guilty as charged😬

It's horrible, but I remember being exactly like this as a teenager. I was just an angry, unreasonable ball of hormones and yes - the way my parents breathed or ate annoyed the hell out of me. I had no patience for anyone or anything. I was horrible and I hated myself for it, but I couldn't seem to help it, everything just wound me up - and I absolutely detested my younger brother for a good five years (we're best friends now!!)

I know none of that makes you feel any better right now, and it's so hard not to take it personally - but honestly, it isn't.

swimlyn · 28/07/2021 12:00

Teenagers are like dogs. Withdraw all attention and they run out of angst.

It’s natures way of making you chuck them out. Like a cat with a 16wk old kitten “are you still here”.

Gotta love these!

ROFLMAO Grin

Mommybunny · 28/07/2021 12:11

When I was growing up my DM was obsessed with “the tone, the TONE”. She still doesn’t tolerate raised voices well and takes it as a personal insult. I generally get on very well with my DM but I often felt like what I said was never so important as how I said it, with the result I often felt I wasn’t listened to.

In my DH’s family, on the other hand, they just let everything out and I’m often shocked at how DH and DFIL scream at each other, yet love each other dearly. They also delight in winding-up and piss-take, the pleasure in which I’ve never understood. I am not often on the receiving end but DCs are, and it gets the “expected” response which is often extremely rude pushback.

My DD14 in particular can be appallingly rude to DH, and while I used to try to correct it I’m tired of being monkey in the middle, and I devote my energies to the way she relates to me, which is something over which I have more control. DH doesn’t particularly like the way she talks to him but I’ve told him he brings it on himself.

In relating to both my DCs (DS16 as well, who has always been better able to brush off DH’s windups), I don’t get obsessed with their tone but I do make it clear I expect respect. In return I try to make them understand that I will hear WHAT they are saying so they don’t have to get so frustrated they shout. I am on the whole reasonably happy with the way they talk to me. It isn’t perfect but it’s pretty good for a parent-teenager relationship I think.

Somarefuser · 28/07/2021 12:16

@notacooldad

Years ago I had just come home from a hiking day out and was on the last minute to take Ds1 somewhere. I didn't have time to change. I got " your not going out looking like that are you?" sentence. Unfortunately for him I was if he wanted the lift with me!🤣🤣🤣 12 years later he is now a hiker with similar clothes!
I’d have said ‘No, I’m not’ Then made a cup of coffee...or two....maybe a bit of toast... Until the penny dropped.

Used to have a generic shopping list that everyone wrote on. If they were being inconsiderate, I’d just cross something off.
I’m vegetarian. Do I care if we run out of bacon?

wigjuice · 28/07/2021 12:18

@Mommybunny

When I was growing up my DM was obsessed with “the tone, the TONE”. She still doesn’t tolerate raised voices well and takes it as a personal insult. I generally get on very well with my DM but I often felt like what I said was never so important as how I said it, with the result I often felt I wasn’t listened to.

In my DH’s family, on the other hand, they just let everything out and I’m often shocked at how DH and DFIL scream at each other, yet love each other dearly. They also delight in winding-up and piss-take, the pleasure in which I’ve never understood. I am not often on the receiving end but DCs are, and it gets the “expected” response which is often extremely rude pushback.

My DD14 in particular can be appallingly rude to DH, and while I used to try to correct it I’m tired of being monkey in the middle, and I devote my energies to the way she relates to me, which is something over which I have more control. DH doesn’t particularly like the way she talks to him but I’ve told him he brings it on himself.

In relating to both my DCs (DS16 as well, who has always been better able to brush off DH’s windups), I don’t get obsessed with their tone but I do make it clear I expect respect. In return I try to make them understand that I will hear WHAT they are saying so they don’t have to get so frustrated they shout. I am on the whole reasonably happy with the way they talk to me. It isn’t perfect but it’s pretty good for a parent-teenager relationship I think.

I may take that on board about the tone, maybe I do worry about it too much with mine. It's such a minefield at times. My youngest has autism and a few years ago he hardly spoke, so him being a teenager is actually rather hopeful.
mm8989 · 28/07/2021 12:27

I’m vegetarian. Do I care if we run out of bacon?

---

The pettiness.....I love it😂

muddyford · 28/07/2021 12:39

I'm nearly 60 and I still hate the way my father eats...

Futureself · 28/07/2021 12:40

Wow. Have you removed her phone, told her she is fat and ugly and abandoned her in the middle of nowhere yet, OP?

PercyPigAndMe · 28/07/2021 14:14

Some of these responses are just mental. You really allow your children to speak to you and treat you in this way? Why? Excusing it because they're 14 or whatever.

I'm not even particularly strict but I've brought my kids up with respect for other people and yep, that extends to me too. I wouldn't sit in my own house having my 14 year old tell me I was crap or old or whatever. Absolutely not a chance - and I have two teenagers. They're not angels of course, one can be extremely grumpy on occasion but just one word out of line towards me and he's put in his place - it's a choice how they speak to you after all and it's really not difficult to not treat your mum like shit is it?

Some of you could do with lifting up your behavioural expectations of your kids

unsureofneighbour · 28/07/2021 14:22

I'm not even particularly strict but I've brought my kids up with respect for other people and yep, that extends to me too.

I think you have touched on the truth here. A lot of parents expect their children to grow into respectful teenagers but they fail to realise it's up to them to instil that in the first place. Then instead of realising their lack of input is the error they throw the 'it's just teenagers' line as an excuse.

ufucoffee · 28/07/2021 17:37

@mm8989 That wouldn't really work with a slim, beautiful teenager though would it?

I'd still say it though Smile

SpiderinaWingMirror · 28/07/2021 17:59

Middle dd was prone to declare me chronically embarrassing. And would moan when being driven to school.
I would drop her, watch her meet with her mates then drive up, drop the passenger and call her name. "What" she would say. "I love you" I would bellow in return
Still makes me laugh now.

Staywithmemyblood · 28/07/2021 18:09

@unsureofneighbour
“A lot of parents expect their children to grow into respectful teenagers but they fail to realise it's up to them to instil that in the first place. Then instead of realising their lack of input is the error they throw the 'it's just teenagers' line as an excuse.”

😱 Oh dear, I was quite enjoying this lighthearted thread but I find judgy comments like this pretty rude. How ironic in a post about teaching our teens respect for others!

Please do not make assumptions about my parental input, or that of any other posters. Be kind 😊

unsureofneighbour · 28/07/2021 18:13

😱 Oh dear, I was quite enjoying this lighthearted thread but I find judgy comments like this pretty rude. How ironic in a post about teaching our teens respect for others!

Please do not make assumptions about my parental input, or that of any other posters. Be kind 😊

I wasn't being unkind. Thanks.

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