I was thinking that once everyone could wipe their own bottoms and somewhat understood rational thinking, this would be awesome. What am I missing? I might be a weirdo but I like driving around to different sports and activities. I told dh how expensive their activities would be and he didn't think it was a big deal. My main concern is cooking in mass for teenage boys. But what else is so worrisome about the teen years (besides sex drugs and rock n roll). I was a pretty good teen so I'm quite sure I'm naive. I just really thought now would be the hardest time.
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Re: Are you really more worried about the teenage years?
I think that life now is more physically demanding than it will be when we have teens. Life with teens will be more expensive and potentially more stressful though.
DH and I were both involved in VERY expensive activities (ice hockey and all-star cheerleading). I really cannot imagine being able to afford that for my own children. DH is an only child, so the cost wasn't as difficult for his parents. I worked 30+hours a week as a teen leaving school early each day to do so (worked 11am-5pm Mon-Fri). All my money went to cheer and although I loved it and my schedule taught me very strong work ethic I wouldn't ever want DD to do that.
I think your mistake is thinking teenagers understand rational thinking or always remember to wipe their ass for that matter.
That being said, I am not stressing about it yet.
I too, was a pretty good kid/teenager. My husband was a good kid when it came to grades, but he was more of a partier and he worked as a mechanic and has told me that he and his friends used to take customer cars for joy rides.
I think my concerns stem from wanting my kids to be good adults. I want them to take school seriously, stay away from drugs, in general be responsible.
I want them to be able to participate in activities/sports, but I worry that we won't be able to afford it.
Having 3 teenage drivers at the same time scares the crap out of me. I guess it's just that everything becomes a little bit (a lot) harder to control, if that makes sense.
Not worried now, but I'm sure I will be when the kids are 11/12.
There's a lot of temptation to do wrong when you have teenage children. Even kids with good parents get sucked into the "bad" crowd. I don't think I am immune to that.
The only thing that freaks me out about the teen years is the fact that I will have two teenage girls (possibly three) with crazy hormones! They will all want to share the same clothes, makeup, car, and boys. I'll have lots of other crazy hormone filled girls in my house becuase they will each have their own set of friends.
I want an emotional handfull when I was a teen and I imagine my girls will be much the same.
Oh and I have to worry about them having sex when they are 12...becuase apparently that's how young they are started now. Ugh.
OK.... I just spat water at my monitor.
That was HILARIOUS!!!!
As a step-mom to a 16 yr old I feel like I may be a bit more prepared than most. We're beyond lucky in that he's a super awesome great kid with no back talk and never even an eye roll. I'm 120% sure that we're gonna have a helluva time with the 2 younger ones just because we've had it so easy with our oldest (from DH's first marraige).
I'll be frank - the driving thing has been the hardest part by far. Everything else we can navigate and deal with but dead is dead and him driving still scares the cr@p outta me but it is getting easier as time passes.
We do laugh though that we had a very small break between the little ones having us up at night and the oldest one having us up at night waiting to hear that key in the lock to know he's home safe.
So to answer your question I think it's like all else in parenting. You sometimes fear that which you're not experienced in but the experience comes fast and hard and you learn, grow, adjust and do your best.
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
Am I worried right now...no way. Talk to me again in 10 years:o) I was a very good kid as a teenager and it had a lot to do, I think, with my mom's parenting style. DH was NOT good in high school...he got permanently kicked out of the first HS and had to spend the rest of his time at a HS farther away. So, I'm counting on him to be the disciplinarian most of the time since he needs his come-up-ons for what he did to his parents, LOL. I have visions of lots of ladies nights and margaritas while DH is home fretting over what his two teenage boys are doing;) (I kid.)
Uh yes. Teenage mood swings are no fun, even if you don't have kids that dabble in sex and drugs. My mom had 3u3, and she always says that it's waaay harder to have three pre-teen and teenage girls than to have a 1, 2, and 3 yo.
Plus DH and I were both the rebels of the family, so we know what kids can get up to.