Are your pre-teens or teens driving you crazy?

Caroline - posted on 06/11/2012

thank you so much its nice to know you are not alone it is difficult and painfull i hope i can get through it

Amy - posted on 03/24/2012

I have a 12 year old and im dreading the next few years, i really am worried. He too can have an attitude problem at times, lets just hope it wont be half as bad as im expecting :).

Jen - posted on 07/17/2011

Thank you so much Tina for the encouraging words....things have gotten a little better. I think he is finally realizing that it is not going to be his way all the time and he gets to do what he wants when he obeys the rules.

Tina - posted on 07/07/2011

Trust me, you are not alone. I've raised my children to show respect, caring, love for others but when my son hit 12 he became a different person. It is the age, but there is no excuse for it. I too have taken away all of his toys, games, phone, computer and he acts the same way. However, I sat him down just the other day and explained to him that I am not going anywhere, that he is stuck with me and I'm the one that makes the rules. He can either make his life easier by going along with them or by making his life miserable and disobeying them. It appears that if they don't have they way all "hell" breaks lose. It's frustrating and often time so unfair and unrewarding. I'm the one that sets the rules so unfortunately I'm the one that he hates most of the time. All I can say is "Pray" like I do and hope this will pass.

Amy - posted on 05/11/2011

This is a terrific time! I refuse to accept that this has to be the "worst age group". I have a wonderful relationship with my 13.5-year-old son. But he knows the boundaries of acceptable behavior, there are always consequences to behaviors (good or bad), I am consistent in enforcing rules, and I have established myself as a parent. I am not his maid, I am not his personal chef, I am not his chauffeur, I am not an alarm clock. I am his mom!
I have a goal for our family. It's to raise kids who are confident, caring and capable citizens. I figure if they are these things, that they will also be happy and successful in their chosen careers and that they will make good life choices.

Jessica - posted on 01/18/2011

Thank you for creating this community. I get the "joy" of having 3 pre-teen boys at home, and I've the idea that the next 8 years or so are going to be nerve-wracking to say the least. Little kids I can deal with easily (I'm studying to be a pre-K/Kindergarten teacher), but I have no idea what's normal for this age. So I'll probably be on here a lot.

My primary concern today is my 12-year-old's negative attitude toward just about everything. His stock reply to any question is "Sure, why not." or some other smart-aleck comment. He also acts like a jerk toward his brothers, like if one is reading, he thinks it's funny to just walk up and knock the book out of his hands. I asked my husband if this is typical behavior for a 12-yo boy, but he says he doesn't remember.

Jen - posted on 06/04/2010

Lisa,

First off, I would like to thank you for opening up this community. Pre-teen and teen years by far seem to be the worst. Maybe I am wrong but terrible two's were never that terrible.

I have a 13 year old son who thinks he rules the roost. He is very defiant and just does what he pleases. I have taken everything away from him that I possibly can think of and yet he just doesn't care. I have been told by several people that this is normal teenage behavior. He is just trying to find himself. Maybe I am off my rocker but I never spoke or acted the way he does toward my parents. What has happened to following the rules and showing respect?