teenagers!!

[scruffbag]

My son is so grumpy, rude and wants to argue with me all the time.
It upsets me deeply. He is 16 and is doing well in every other part of his life.
I would appreciate your comments please.
Thanks.

[boxtops]

If you look at other recent posts, scruffbag, you are far from alone. He's a teenager. It will pass!

[237SJ]

He`s just a typical teenager who is finding his feet. I think daughter`s are worse. I was a pain in the arse at that age but I turned out alright. Don`t worry about it.

[sherrardk]

Sorry - think it's normal!

[saxy_jag]

He's normal.

My (single) boss has a nearly-thirteen-year-old who's turned into a teenager overnight. Poor kid's being blamed for every little outburst and expletive she utters. The girl's mum fails to consider the effect of her parents splitting up a year ago and mum going out socialising and enjoying herself at every opportunity.

When your son is rude to you, consider whether, in his eyes (because he is ONLY 16 to your thirty/forty odd) you have said or done anything to upset him. At 16 we want to rule the world and we feel quite capable of doing so. We have all the answers and the oldies just live in yesterday's world.

Bear with him - the 'worst' teenagers often make the best adults.

[karenmac60]

Try reading a book called 'Blame My Brain' by Nicola Morgan. It is aimed at teens and their parents and explains the physiological changes that are going on in teenagers brains and how they don't think the same way as us because of these changes. It really does put a whole new light on things and helps us understand that they are not just being rude or thoughtless or deliberately hurtful, they are just wired differently for a while. It'll pass though so don't take it to heart x

[Andyvon]

I remember being much the same with my mother. I look back and realise I was simply emerging from childhood and trying to establish my confidence and male status. Mum was a pushover - but I would never have tried it on my Dad! I'll bet your son wouldn't try it on his father either Scruffbag. Once I'd grown up and out of that stage I stopped treating my mother like it. I feel a bit guilty now.

Thank God you haven't got daughters Scruffbag. They tend to go completely wild and you would never handle them. Several years ago I owned a chauffeur compan and I had the local police contract for returning runaway youngsters to their homes around the UK. We never had to collect a boy from the police station to take home - 100% of them were girls. The police said teenage boys hardly ever gave their parents real problems but girls go wild and almost uncontrollable.

Your son will be fine in a year or two once he's grown out of this. Perhaps tell him to speak to his father in the same way. I think you'll find him suddenly change his tune.

[ummmm]

I never argued with my parents. I had too much respect for them and knew I wouldn't get away with it....

He's 16...what do you do for him? Whatever you do, stop doing it. If he cannot be civil to you he doesn't deserve his dinner cooking, clothes washing, lifts...etc etc

I don't buy this 'it's hormones' malarky. If they can manage to be nice to their friends then they can be nice to their parents. (presuming the parents are nice to them)

[sammmo]

If I were a teenager now, and i acted like I did when i was a teenager ,I would have had an ASBO ages ago. I was a real scamp always in trouble.. but I would never be grumpy or rude to my mother or father even when they used to tell me off.. I would'nt take any notice mind you, but I was'nt argumentative rude or nasty in any way to them.. Kids nowadays just don't have respect for there elders do they??

[ummmm]

Yes they do.

[Bbbananas]

He's 16. He's male. 'Nuff said.

[Segilla]

Show him this

TEENAGERS!
Tired of being harrassed by your stupid parents?
ACT NOW
Move out ...
Get a job ...
Pay your own bills ...
Do it now while you still know everything.