The teenager and the hub are at each other's throats this morning. It is actually kind of refreshing to see them in a heated argument rather than my being in the thick of it. When it comes to academics, it's the hub who steps in.Yesterday, the high school was giving PSATs. Did the teenager take them? No. Why? Because he hadn't signed up for them. Was it any big deal to him? Nope. The hub asked about them this morning and just about blew a gasket when he learned the teenager hadn't taken them and then expressed that he didn't feel any need to. The guy is a Junior! Yep. Time to start stepping up to the plate. It is on the teenager's agenda today to find out, from his guidance counselor, when the next PSATs are. That kid would float through life if he could. "La ti da . . . life is given to me on a silver platter." Grrr.
Not only that, but he had a flat tire yesterday. He got a ride home from school and left his car there. At least he had enough sense not to drive on it. Had he purchased a jack and tire wrench like I had told him to? Nope. I had all that checked at the garage when we had it inspected and I told him it was missing--in one ear, out the other. Since he had to work yesterday afternoon, it was me who had to do the running around trying to find the right "scissor" jack that is safe. Then when the hub came home, rather than waiting until 10 p.m. (with jet lag lurking and the time the teenager got off work), we just did it ourselves -- thus, life served on a silver platter once again. Sometimes we harm our children when we try and make it easier on ourselves. Yes, it was more convenient that we just do it to get it over with so we wouldn't be out "teaching" him how to do it at 11 pm. But did he learn anything? Yes, that we will do these things for him and he can get away with it. I can guarantee you this. He WILL now be taking the tire to the repair shop and paying for it and putting it on himself. Guess we just needed a little reminding that he is almost a man and needs to do these adult things on his own. (I can't even imagine having my parents do the things for me that I do for him. Who's fault is that? No one's but my own.)
Hopefully, he will get some info on the PSATs today. The hub is on a warpath. Two hot heads locking horns first thing in the morning. Sigh. Our cat Abby is running around trying to make peace. She doesn't like yelling; and if there is any, she runs up and starts rubbing against you and crying. I couldn't help but giggle in the midst of it.
Aw, another day in the School of Family Life.
7 comments:
You paint such a vivid picture that I feel like I was there quietly listening. I don't sadly(yes, even after reading this - lol!) don't have children but I still know how trying teens can be. You are absolutely right that the time has come for him to "Step up to the plate" and he may find with some growth he will hit a home run, rather than run home...for all the answers.
XOXO
Did I say "Welcome Home" yet?
Hopefully the rest of the day will be better for you all.
The PSAT is offered several times around here and it's probably the same where you are. For sure he should have another chance in the spring. It's an interesting age for boys. I swear their brains are elsewhere for awhile. Well, Mr. Staggs has informed me that yes, they are....but we won't go into that! It'll all work out ok. Take a deep breath and cuddle with sweet Abby for awhile. Talk to you soon. xoxo
It's amazing how cats can sense tension, isn't it?
I must say I don't really miss those teenage years at all!
Your son isn't a pisces by any chance? He sounds so like my son at that age. At 28 my son holds down a good job but still takes a really laid back attitude to life, really just swimming along through it. Love all the ATC's you got.
tell the teenager he must do the responsible thing and by a Goodyear tire...lol!!
:-D
Ah, the life of a teenage boy -- nothing on his mind but girls, computer games, having fun, playing messy mind with the parents, getting away with murder, and frustrating the heck out of everybody. As parents, haven't we all been there, done that, with the brats? We love them but they are the reason our hair turns grey. I hate to say "this too will pass," but guess what . . .
Quel histoire! Thank goodness those teen years are over for my daughter. Just reading this story brought back all that anxiety. Sigh. Yours will turn out fine too.
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