Any moms of teenagers? I have a preteen and I can tell it's going to be a wild ride. He is much like a toddler, but now he's as tall as me!

Christina - posted on 02/17/2009

LOL, I have a13 year old son , who is so smart and responsible. Than whines when he doesn't get his way and fights with his 7 year old brother and sister, and it is funny to yell and discipline him because he is already 6 foot tall, and he loves to talk back.

Jacqueline - posted on 02/17/2009

I have a preteen two but my boyfriends kids stay with us on weekends and they are 13 and 14 and yeah it's trying especially when i'm not up to that stage yet it can definately grate on your nerves the way they are moody, snippy, demanding,and sullen, oppositional, and just plain difficult... and thats the good times lol....

Jami - posted on 02/17/2009

I also have "tweens" who believe they are an adult but act like they are 2 again. the exception to toddler-hood is they don't want to cuddle till im busy and there is a invisible line of - I want you here...get away mom!!! I listen to Dr Joy Browne and I have learned to try to see the positive and ignore the negative. I use money as a motivator by using a pebble system they get a pebble for good behavior and taken away for serious behavior that warrants intervention beyond a verbal intervention. They get $2 for about 10-12 pebbles. I fill up a tall shotglass. So far it's the only thing that helps keep things somewhat sane. I've tried a lot of things. I still use 1 minute per year in the bedroom. of course tv and computer priviledges are in my hands. Now we have a baby girl so we are all getting used to adding that dynamic but we love everyinute of her presence. We all needed her sweetness!

Angie - posted on 02/17/2009

People don't often talk about the hormonal changes that boys go through. Show him lots of love, patience, understanding, and discipline. And when he says he doesn't know why he did something or why he feels sad, believe him - he really doesn't. He just needs time and space to grow up.

Pam - posted on 02/17/2009

Ugh!  Preteen years!  One minute they are having super-sophisticated conversations with thier friends, the next they are skipping through the house with all the grace of an elephant.  Adult-like one moment, child again the next.  They are aquiring all the hormones of the teenage years without the maturity to temper them.  I have three girls, 15, turning 13, and 7.  Stand your ground now, it's my experience that the teenage years actually get a little easier if your children are well rooted in right from wrong.  My 15 year old has been moody since 3 1/2, but she has actually mellowed in recent years.  Her maturity level is catching up with her emotions.  Don't argue in the heat of the moment, but go back later when you both can discuss things rationally.  Don't just accept their nasty words and attitudes as part of growing up, confront them about it later after they have cooled down, and implement consequences for treating you poorly.  Don't fight on their level.  They really cannot take what they can dish out.  If their own words were turned on them from you, it really would crush them.  Sorry, you have to be the adult.  Hang in there.  Some days you just survive.  As for me, what has been the most beneficial factor is prayer.  Sometimes for her, sometimes for me and my reactions. 

Maria - posted on 02/17/2009

Quoting Valerie:

Any moms of teenagers? I have a preteen and I can tell it's going to be a wild ride. He is much like a toddler, but now he's as tall as me!

Maria - posted on 02/17/2009

Quoting Valerie:

Any moms of teenagers? I have a preteen and I can tell it's going to be a wild ride. He is much like a toddler, but now he's as tall as me!

Juanita - posted on 02/16/2009

I have an 11 yr old daughter and I know exactly what you are going through! Her pediatrician said she started puberty and its part of the territory unfornatly. I do set limits...I'm not gonna let her disrepect me, but I think we just have to ride it out!! Hang in there!!

Paula - posted on 02/16/2009

hi valerie i also have a preteen, and boy can she sulk, her moods are terrible at times we also argue a lot which is rather upsetting as we have got along really well some days im at my wits end with her but other days we can chat for hours .

my daugther is the eldest of 5 so i get comments like why me , and why do i have to do it why cant she do it , i suppose they must feel like the whole world is against them attimes i cant remember much from my preteen days lol

Valerie - posted on 02/16/2009

My son is 12, and his mood swings are escalating.  My daughter is 10, as well, she isn't screaming, yet.  I think she's going to be more of a silent moody type.

Becky - posted on 02/16/2009

My oldest is 13 and throws tantrums any time I ask him to do anything. He thinks he is picked on and has to do everything (which is the opposite of the truth). Yeah, I think it is going to be a wild ride, just like you said. lol

Tasha - posted on 02/16/2009

My son is 11 and having the hardest time since he was three. I told my husband it is like being in that stage all over again. So we have begun to treat him this way again. We have gone back to putting him in time out and 11 mins is a very long time. We also wrote up and posted house rules along with consequences as he really likes to argue with us about every punishment. Now we just refer him to the rules. He is still trying my patience, but at least I feel that I have some control now.

Lillie - posted on 02/16/2009

My son is 12, and is about an inch taller than I am (and still growing). He doesn't throw tantrums, but is very moody. He is constantly picking on his younger brothers making them yell, or fight; or is just yelling at them. I feel like I'm on a carnival ride and they won't let me off.

Melanie - posted on 02/16/2009

My daughter is exactly the same. She is ten next month and so hormonal, throws temper tantrums. Slams her door and screams at me that I dont understand her. How old is your son?