YIKES! a teen in the house!

[cindyc]

Oldest son turned 13 today. We are officially in uncharted water folks.

Cindyc.

[deaconjim]

You're dooooooomed! :baby04:
Happy birthday to the lad.

[halfpint]

My older two son's were easier to deal with in their teens than in their younger years. I'm afraid my daughter will be a different story when she gets there.
Happy Birthday to your son!
Dawn

[Cheryl in SD]

You beat me by 6 months. I will have two teens in April. I will be watching to see how it goes.

Happy Birthday!!!

[quadcam79]

to quote monty python : "RUN AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY"

[Tracy Rimmer]

It's not as bad as everyone tells you -- sometimes it's worse

My son will be 14 in November, and certainly has his moments -- but I have been shocked at how much he has matured this past year. He's morose and mopey at times, and can take offense at the drop of a hat given the right situation -- and of course, there is that righteous indignation and idealism that goes with youth -- but it's not like others warned me about.

[tyusclan]

You'll survive.

Up until July we had 6 teens in the house. Then the three oldest (two teens and a 20-something) rented a house together and moved out. That leaves us with 4.

One li'l ole bitty 13 yo? Piece o' cake.

[TheBiscuitQueen]

I was dreading having a teen. But now my oldest is 17, and he is a great kid. He has his moments where I can ask him if he has seen something and he says "Why are you making me do all the work around here?!?" but for the most part he is level headed and considerate. I think having a good relationship with your kids, and above all LETTING THEM BE THEIR OWN PERSON even if you don't necessarily like it is critical. I pick my battles. Long hair, ripped jeans, and unshaven chin hairs are not going to hurt him, but a solid NO on drinking, drugs, and lying.

It does not hurt that we love all the same things he does. We took him to his first big concert (Oz Fest 2006) and I rocked out so hard my neck hurt and he just stood there nodding his head the whole time, laughing at me. We all play Guitar Hero together, and his dad his really into the car stuff he is.

This is not to say we are totally out of the woods yet, or that he is perfect. We struggle with his grades every year, and his room looks like a bomb went off in it. But I think if you remember that he is still a child, he needs parents more than ever right now, and that he is a unique and interesting person, you will be on the right track.

I actually have really enjoyed the last 5 years. My oldest has a wicked dry sense of humor and is a really neat person to talk to.