I just wrote a rather frivolous post about my teenage son nagging me but the frivolity was false.
He is behaving badly but is too old to put in the naughty corner (we never had one of those).
I never expected to be tongue-lashed, hen-pecked, reprimanded and nagged by my own son!
How can the same boy be both muse and monster?
He hugs me then spits venom then disintegrates into guilt, then hugs me again.
I want to say to him cruel things – I want to say he is an ungrateful wretch.
An ailing father is no excuse. I have already given Ming too many doubt benefits.
My angel child needs his wings fixed or a punch in the nose.
Teenager, normal, okay.
jmgoyder 
You have written the perfect confusing characteristics of a teenage boy. A delight to read, and something all mothers and grandmothers of boys can connect to; there are heads nodding everywhere as this is read.
Thanks, Marylin – we bypassed our stalemate later today but who knows re tomorrow! Thank you so much for your comment.
Counseling? Tell him how it makes you feel when he does these things.
Done!
Some of it is his age, but not all…. Good luck navigating some treacherous waters. As our kids grow up, we have to change our strategies to get along. Sometimes it’s a struggle.
Today has been worse – seeing dr tomorrow.
If it is any consolation at all, my normally wonderful 18 year old son is being horrid and horrible and hideous and arrogant and mean right now and I really don’t like him at the moment… Must be the planets or something.,,
That’s what always shocks me – when the kid turns from nice to nasty in a second!
being a teenage boy does not make it alright. maybe he needs a little honesty from you.
Did that today.
good for you!
Jewels, methinks a poetlurks somewhere in the bush near you, some past life, a doppleganger,
or could that be you, finding all along that it’s just not peacock’s that have the wings.>KB
hehehe!
Not much help right now but they do get better!
I hope we can get through this.
Hmmmmm.
I believe there are two sides to every argument.
Sorry, Julie, but there are.
In Ming’s defence, maybe the only way he can ‘deal’ with the current difficult situation with Anthony is to be in control. He needs everything neat & tidy, ordered & easy – perhaps he sees your space (office) as something out of control and therefore unacceptable to his need for order. He can’t control his Father’s gradual decline, but he can control his home surroundings and that’s his way of dealing with the situation.
(By the way, did you, by any chance, promise to ‘tidy up’ one day ?).
I thought you were on my side – hehe!
I so know what you are going through and to tell you it is normal does not help much — but it is normal–I have been through it twice and still occasionally go through it–just love him through it–though it is supremely hard
Very hard today.
HUGS to you and MIng!
He isn’t getting them – I am!
as long as you pass them along! Happy Monday!
I can only say that I have many pictures of the babies throughout the house and the hubby and I talk about all the cute times that we can recall. it helps tremendously get us over whatever hump the young “adults” are going through and including us in. I try to think of the saying “this too shalll pass” Hang in there.
That’s a great idea!
As well as being a teenage boy, life is difficult at the moment. I’m not excusing him here, just trying to see how things might be. He must feel as sad as you about the situation, and the only person he has to take it out on is you, so unfortunately you are the one who is on the receiving end of his tongue-lashings and bad tempers. The fact that he feels bad after he has behaved badly must mean that the nice Ming is still in there somewhere.
I guess so – thx!
Nods head in empathy. ❤
Please take comfort Julie – you are not alone!! Has been a “whirlwind” here with my girls home for extended visit ….. I will miss them now — but so get the disparity you describe ~ it’s a mixed bag of all kinds of stuff — but in the end — wouldn’t trade them — know you feel same — we can switch though – just to experience the opposite gender hormone thing — LOL ~ always wondered what it would be like to have a son around here!!! 🙂 xo
I’ll swap tomorrow!
Julie, I would vote for the punch in the nose, then you can kiss it and make it all better. Take care, Bill
Nose punch it is!
My boys nag me and know better. They reckon.
People can only get away with however much we let them. Show me a mother who isn’t in the same boat 🙂
Kids should come with a warning label!
for me raising the teens were the worst part of parenthood, don’t let him have the upper hand, he will take it and run!!!! just some advice from a mother of used to be teens
Got that and done now! I hope.
Oh, the ups and downs of life with a teenager! I am not looking forward to those times 🙂
She’ll be right!
Time will make it better.
I hope so.
At least you only have one child to nag you I have three of them…………
Good point!
Julie,
Google “fair fighting.” There are rules for fair fighting, and if you’re both agreeable, it’s a much better way of communicating and respecting each person’s space, perspectives, and opinions. Saying a prayer for you both as you work your way through this tough season and sending BIG Texas love across the waves. XO
I’m going to google it now – thanks!
I was that type of teenager, maybe worse.
Surely not!
‘A room of her own’ – you need it and you deserve it and he should butt out of it! Oh, and take him up on that getaway present asap!
Can’t wait to get away!
have come to your posts in the wrong order – so … I know .. the punch was never need.
ok
Oh, how I can empathize with you on this! I have felt the very same way about my teenage (only 13) daughter lately. I gave her a much needed talking to the other night and then cried myself to sleep, because I knew I hurt her, but it needed to be said so that she could think about it. I know she did, because I actually catch her thinking before she opens her mouth now.
Julie, I wanted to say something brilliant to help you, but all your other friends with children have said all the sensible things regarding how to deal with teenagers and their flip-side behaviors.
So instead, I will tell you how much you are thought of and that I appreciate your posts and your courage. xo
Teenager, normal, okay. Yes… and a talking too needed again. But normal, yes!