https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:48:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372964 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:10:16 +0000 .twist. 2372964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: DH's family has a history of substance abuse. This scares the crap out of me because we have/are living it. I want to avoid that at all costs, but I don't know how! </p> <p>@LuLu Mom: Even just explaining not getting into a vehicle with someone who's had too much. It's not easy to tell how much someone else has had to drink when you're loaded too. Ugh. I don't even like thinking about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372962 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:07:29 +0000 HLK208 2372962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm honestly a little worried. I'm ready to start reading books on how to parent teenagers! My DH has a half sister who's into drugs, she skips school and has gotten suspended many times...I want to know why. I want to know how I can help my kids avoid that 😁 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372901 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:30:25 +0000 gingerbebe 2372901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I am worried. We have friends with middle school aged kids and they are sooooo rude and disrespectful - even in public in front of other adults they know. </p> <p>My parents were ridiculously strict when I was a teen and I hated it but as a parent I find myself pretty strict and disciplined too (and DH agrees) so I suspect we will have some disagreements for sure. </p> <p>Randomly, one thing I learned and respect from that crazy show Chrisley Knows Best is that whenever he or his wife are yelling or disciplining the kids, they almost never end a conversation without looking at the kids dead in the eye and saying "I love you." Or love is always included in the conversation. They also often hugs them afterwards. That was one thing my parents often never verbalized with their discipline even though it was implied I'm sure. I want to get in the habit starting now to always couple disciplining and rules with love in verbal and physical ways like hugs and what not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372878 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:13:13 +0000 Cherrybee 2372878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cant wait for E to want to lie in bed until lunchtime. I'm going to go into her room every morning at 5am and whine Peppa Pig over and over until she wakes up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372876 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:12:05 +0000 LuLu Mom 2372876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: This is my fear, the alcohol/parties (small town Midwest this is pretty much a given.) I'm not risking her drinking and driving and I plan to tell them very early the story about how DH lost his cousin/best friend due to drunk driving when they were in high school, it changed him. I just know how stupid I was back in my day thinking I was invincible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372848 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:54:57 +0000 .twist. 2372848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not scared of them growing up. I'm scared about what they'll do. I want so badly to protect them from danger. Drugs or accidents or break ups. Obviously I can't, but that scares me more than them "changing". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372840 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:49:49 +0000 LuLu Mom 2372840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm terrified. Both my husband and I were hellions as teenagers, so I'm totally prepared for my oldest to be like us (her personality is so inline with mine.) She's already super independent and I get glimpses of what she will be like as a teenager. I see lots of wine in my future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372700 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:19:43 +0000 Silva 2372700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to. A friend of mine has a 16 year old daughter and I was talking to her about it. My husband, who is a pediatrician with a strong interest in teens has also changed my thinking. My friend said that she resists the dominant narratives of parenting a teenager. And sure, it's developmentally appropriate and expected for your teen to test boundaries, want to sleep in late, etc.<br /> and I expect there will be hurdles. But there are also things I look forward to: seeing her play sports or perform in theater or play music, reading her school assignments and seeing her come up with new and complex thoughts and opinions. I think that with a strong and supportive family, you can get through it and be closer from it.<br /> Basically, I think that some (maybe just a tiny bit) of what can make the teen years so hard is our expectation that they will be impossible. I don't think I have rose colored glasses- I was AWFUL as a teenager. But I'm trying really hard not to let stereotypes color my expectations too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dreading-the-teenaged-years#post-2372697 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:12:43 +0000 mrbee 2372697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A good friend of mine had dinner with a bunch of older parents, and they were all describing how painful it was raising their teenagers! It put a scare in me... </p> <p>I've already seen the kids transform once (my son when he was in his twos and my daughter when she was in her late threes), and was shocked at how different they became overnight! At times I had trouble recognizing my own child in the threenager suddenly living in my house!</p> <p>Does the same thing happen when kids become teenagers? Because if so... uh oh. I'm scared. </p>