Being the parent of a teenager can be like riding a rollercoaster that you didn’t know you had a ticket for. One moment you’re ascending, full of hope and admiration for the young adult your child is becoming, and the next, you’re plummeting into the depths of eye rolls and monosyllabic responses. But amidst the chaos, there’s a treasure trove of humour to be found. And let’s be honest, it’s the laughs that make it worth it right? Here are some of the funniest aspects of having a teenager, with a nod to the online community that shares in our collective parenting journey.
The Art of War Communication
Communicating with a teenager is an art form, one that many of us parents are still trying to master. You might think that asking, “How was your day?” is a simple, straightforward question. But in Teenagerese, it’s an invasive probe worthy of an eye roll so powerful, it could shift the Earth’s axis. As one parent humourously noted on Grown & Flown, trying to get more than a grunt or a “fine” out of your teen can feel like negotiating with a particularly reticent brick wall. And let’s not forget the joy of texting with your teen, where the art of conversation is reduced to cryptic acronyms and emojis. Who knew that a simple “LOL” could carry so many layers of meaning?
The Bedroom Black Hole
Teenagers’ bedrooms are like black holes: mysterious, a little terrifying, and governed by laws of physics that don’t seem to apply to the rest of the universe. As BuzzFeed highlights, parents have been known to joke about the Bermuda Triangle-like properties of these rooms, where clean laundry goes in but never seems to come out. And let’s not even start on the unique ecosystem that develops under their beds, capable of sustaining life forms previously unknown to science. My personal favourite as a parent of a teenager, is seeing the struggle of getting garbage into the garbage can instead of the floor next to it. Oh so close.
The Fashion Police
Remember when you could dress your little one in adorable outfits without any pushback? Those days are long gone. Now, you’re more likely to find yourself in the role of the fashion police, negotiating the fine line between what you deem appropriate and their idea of high fashion, which often involves clothes that look like they’ve survived a minor apocalypse. As Metro Parent amusingly points out, teenagers have a unique sense of style that can leave parents baffled and wondering if there’s a secret trend they’re missing out on. For example, Crocs anyone? I don’t get it. Especially when there is still snow on the ground. But one advantage in finding their own fashion is, there is a good chance they will want to buy their own clothes as well which drives them to earn their own money. Win, win.
I would not be a good parent if I did not take this opportunity to share my teen’s growing business selling vintage clothing. Please do follow his site – Maple City Threads. Also please don’t tell him I told you.
The Sleep Schedule of a Vampire
Teenagers have sleep schedules that defy understanding. They can stay up until the wee hours of the morning, eyes glued to screens, and then sleep through alarms, earthquakes, and possibly the apocalypse. As highlighted by Grown & Flown, the ability of a teenager to sleep for 12 hours straight and still claim to be tired is nothing short of a superpower. It’s a phenomenon that leaves many parents wondering if their child is part vampire, part bear in hibernation. The good news for us is, our oldest teen takes care of quite a bit after he has gone to bed. Homework, room cleaning, and overall productivity, which would never happen during the daytime hours.
The Culinary Critic
Gone are the days when your child would eat whatever you put in front of them. Now, you have a resident culinary critic who questions your cooking skills, seasoning choices, and the freshness of your ingredients. Especially when your teen is lucky enough to take Culinary Arts at school. As BuzzFeed humourously notes, teenagers can go from “starving” to “I don’t like that” in the blink of an eye. And let’s not forget their ability to consume an entire week’s worth of groceries in a single afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. For anyone who has had their teen bring friends over, you know the fear of not having enough food.
In the grand adventure of parenting, having a teenager is a an experience we think we are ready for, but in most cases, we are not. Thank goodness there are a ot of laughs involved. It’s a time filled with challenges, sure, but also with moments of pure comedy gold. Whether it’s deciphering their unique language, navigating the always changing world of fashion, or marveling at their supernatural sleeping abilities, there’s no shortage of laughter to be found. And in those moments of frustration, when you’re wondering how you’ll ever survive being the parent of a teenager, remember: you’re not alone. The online community of parents is right there with you, sharing in the laughter, the eye rolls, and the joy of raising these wonderfully complex, hilariously frustrating young adults.
Need proof, do yourself a favour and follow some of these accounts on Instagram.
