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Post by freecharlie on Jun 29, 2014 14:51:56 GMT
My oldest child turned 13 today. I can't wait to see what the next 13 years brings
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332 
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Post by gloryjoy on Jun 29, 2014 14:53:05 GMT
My oldest child turned 13 today. I can't wait to see what the next 13 years brings Tears and laughter, and lots of wine  .
And not to hijack your post, but I am now a Junior Member, WOOT WOOT!
Back to the subject at hand. |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,772
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jun 29, 2014 14:54:50 GMT
I have to wait a few years for that joy(?) but I will be watching your teenage posts with interest.............I just need to know we will all survive.
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jun 29, 2014 14:55:47 GMT
Welcome to the club! It only gets better more interesting. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Jun 29, 2014 14:57:25 GMT
For me the biggest surprise was that, in looking back, the toddler years that I thought were so hard? They were the easy years. The older the kid gets, the bigger the trouble they can get into.
My only advise is do your best to stay on top of technology and all the rapid changes, don't be afraid to talk to the kid and stock up on whatever liquor soothes your nerves. LOL
ETA: Oh, and try not to take anything they say personally. Whether it be about the family or the hair on your chin. Teenagers can be a mean species when they feel cornered. LOL)
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Post by zishisak on Jun 29, 2014 14:59:54 GMT
Happy Birthday and good luck (says a mom whose 18 year old has happily surprised me by mostly skipping the yucky teen moments).
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Post by fruitysuet on Jun 29, 2014 15:00:44 GMT
For me the biggest surprise was that, in looking back, the toddler years that I thought were so hard? They were the easy years. The older the kid gets, the bigger the trouble they can get into. My only advise is do your best to stay on top of technology and all the rapid changes, don't be afraid to talk to the kid and stock up on whatever liquor soothes your nerves. LOL I agree wholeheartedly, although my middle (DD1) caused a lot of headaches, the problems when they get older are harder to deal with as a parent. It's not like a plaster and a kiss can heal a broken heart after a first love for instance. Congrats to your newly turned teen too. Have you any plans to celebrate? |
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Post by cropaholicnora on Jun 29, 2014 15:02:35 GMT
For me the biggest surprise was that, in looking back, the toddler years that I thought were so hard? They were the easy years. A wise person told me when my kids were little that the toddler years were like a preview of the teenage years. My stubborn, had to do everything her way toddler dd behaved exactly the same way as a teenager. My easygoing, plop me down with my toys and I'm good for hours ds is the same way as a teenager. (Although his toys cost 10 times as much now!) Enjoy the ride...I can't believe how fast the teenage years have gone past with mine who are now 20 & 17. |
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Post by scrapbookbobbie on Jun 29, 2014 15:26:42 GMT
Just remember they will eventually realize Mom and Dad aren't stupid. LOL I think my daughter thought we knew nothing and she knew everything. Now that she is 25 she is realizing we may have known what we were talking about.  |
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Post by Skellinton on Jun 29, 2014 15:39:03 GMT
Just keep telling yourself, "this too shall pass." And remind yourself that their brains are not fully formed and they will become human again!
Seriously though, I have heard stories of some people with teens who are delightful and never snarky or difficult and who make good decisions. I hope that is what you got!
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Post by lovemybabes on Jun 29, 2014 16:00:10 GMT
Aww.  I have a 16 year old. She is lovely. I prefer babies/teens to any other age. We always taught respect from an early age, and being consistent was the key. It is fun! They all have their moments, but just pick your battles and push through. LOL!! |
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Post by miominmio on Jun 29, 2014 16:05:11 GMT
DS15 is a very sweet boy most of the time (although his inability to put his dirty clothes in the hamper drives me nutty), but when he is acting very teenager-ish and believes he knows everything, I'm very quick to remind him that his brain isn't fully developed yet. That drives HIM nutty!
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carhoch
Pearl Clutcher
Be yourself everybody else is already taken
Posts: 2,992
Location: We’re RV’s so It change all the time .
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Post by carhoch on Jun 29, 2014 16:07:59 GMT
I have only one advice chose you battle carfully and let the rest slide |
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jun 29, 2014 16:08:47 GMT
Many tjhings about the teen years are great. But -- A wise friend once said to me "little kids, little troubles; big kids, big troubles". It's amusing but also true. Hang on.
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Scrappin_Mommy
Junior Member
*** Under the baby blue sky, near the beautiful Rocky Mountains! ***
Posts: 63
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Post by Scrappin_Mommy on Jun 29, 2014 16:12:38 GMT
Congratulations, and Happy Birthday to your teen! Best wishes to you, too, as you enter this milestone of motherhood. I just became the mom of a teenage daughter last October, so I haven't had a lot of experience, yet, myself. I agree with lovemybabes, "be consistent, pick your battles, and push through." (That's what we're trying to do, anyway!) LOL! 
~Ronda
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Jun 29, 2014 16:16:44 GMT
Congratulations! Right now my teens are absolute angels compared to my 10 year-old. They are a lot of fun too. Enjoy!
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jun 29, 2014 16:21:35 GMT
I feel your pain, my oldest just turned 13 Wednesday. We can commiserate over glasses bottles of wine together. And to those who said toddler years are precursors to teen years, I have a 3yo as well so I'm getting it from both sides. Some days the little one is stomping around the house saying "me mad everyone....for everything" and the older one is moping around the house grumbling something similar yet not talking in real words  (in reality nothing is wrong w/ either of them) I need to check the stock of the liquor cabinet, wine isn't going to cut it for much longer  |
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Post by stargazer on Jun 29, 2014 16:21:56 GMT
Congratulations & Good Luck! I agree that you will miss the days when a cuddle could fix almost everything, when you could kiss it better dry their tears & problem solved - their problems are not so easily solved anymore  |
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Jun 29, 2014 16:28:57 GMT
I have only one advice chose you battle carfully and let the rest slide I second this. Oh, and you have my deepest sympathies. |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jun 29, 2014 16:33:42 GMT
DS15 is a very sweet boy most of the time (although his inability to put his dirty clothes in the hamper drives me nutty), but when he is acting very teenager-ish and believes he knows everything, I'm very quick to remind him that his brain isn't fully developed yet. That drives HIM nutty! Oh, I like that idea. Next time my dd acts like she knows it all I'm using it! |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jun 29, 2014 16:36:22 GMT
Oh, and the choose your battles is spot on. I think my dd hasn't really rebelled because I "let" her get away with little indescretions. She thinks she's sneaky and rebelling when in actuality I'm turning a blind eye. I have no examples at the moment because, well, my brain is fried from raising a teen |
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Post by fotos4u2 on Jun 29, 2014 16:37:16 GMT
Happy Birthday to him! My youngest turned 13 a few weeks ago. I'm thankful she's the last in the line because I think it's going to be a wild ride and she may be the death of me (my other two who are 16 and 21 are both easy going go-with-the flow rarely gives us any problem kids).
Have fun!
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Post by leannec on Jun 29, 2014 16:42:38 GMT
Welcome to "Hormone Hell" Leanne |
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Post by ctpea on Jun 29, 2014 16:50:01 GMT
Great advice above - def your new theme song may become "Let it Go", LOL!!
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Post by MichyM on Jun 29, 2014 16:52:40 GMT
I'd have to agree, the teenage years make toddlerhood look like a party. Full of challenges but (for me) it was so rewarding to see the person he grew into being! My kid actually was a very easy teen, but just recently while talking with him on the phone (he's 24) he apologized out of the blue for his teenage years Good luck! |
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Post by scrapmaven on Jun 29, 2014 16:58:40 GMT
Teenagers can be really interesting and fun. I think the big challenge is keeping the lines of communication open. I tell my teens that they can tell me anything and I might be angry in the moment, but that will soon fade and I will help them through whatever crisis might have occurred, no matter how serious or life changing. Know their friends and be open w/o pushing. Another thing I do is give them the chance to be right on the small stuff. That way they won't always feel nagged. The toddler years are nuthin
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jun 29, 2014 17:22:33 GMT
This sooo true! I find if he thinks he's getting away w/stuff I know is little, he doesn't try for bigger stuff.
Shhhh . . . don't ever let them know this is how we roll. It will blow our whole operation.
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Post by Kelpea on Jun 29, 2014 17:34:35 GMT
have fun!
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Post by peasful1 on Jun 29, 2014 23:56:18 GMT
My oldest child turned 13 today. I can't wait to see what the next 13 years brings Teenagers are fun! |
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Post by ScrappyLin on Jun 30, 2014 0:07:48 GMT
My daughters just turned 13 last month. I can't wait to see how the year plays out. I took one to the doctor last week and he wished me luck and told me that I will probably want to ship them off for two years. I have been lucky so far and hope it continues.
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.
I have a 16 year old. She is lovely. I prefer babies/teens to any other age. We always taught respect from an early age, and being consistent was the key. It is fun! They all have their moments, but just pick your battles and push through. LOL!! 
(in reality nothing is wrong w/ either of them) I need to check the stock of the liquor cabinet, wine isn't going to cut it for much longer 
