I can’t seem to get it right with my teenagers this week. Whatever I suggest is wrong. The advice I give is outdated, the questions I am asking are ignored by one teenager and huffed at by another. Even my impression of the cat talking with a speech impediment didn’t get any laughs. Nothing. Just a sigh, a look, and then, slam.
Fortunately for my teenagers, I am not in my blubbering in the toilet fragile state this week. No. Instead, I’m in my ‘let’s research this problem and talk it through’, frame of mind.
I turned to Google.
I found a lovely little chappy who looked to me, quite frankly, as if he’d never spent twenty minutes with a teenager let alone a lifetime studying them. He couldn’t possibly have done. His hair was still brown, and he was smiling. With his teeth showing. Admittedly, it was a Jack Nicholson from ‘The Shining’ smile, but still, he didn’t look to me like a typical Dad. He showed no signs of mania. He showed no evidence of drowning, nor of wanting to drown his teenage clients. No, I reckon he was a fake, but no matter, he was a psychologist, and surely that meant he would know the reason my kids think I’m the most antiquated, unfunny, plonker ever.
It seems that the answer lies in the questions that we ask our little bundles of hormonal loveliness. The questions. Not, the answers. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? That’s it then. Easy.
Armed with my pen, I searched the entire house- it was under the dog blanket warming itself, I began to jot down all of Johnny the psychologists’ recommended questions that you should ask your teenager. I was determined to make this work. I only had until next Wednesday, and then my monthly hormones would insist that I turn into Bruce Banner again.
There wasn’t much time. This was my window of opportunity.
As I got to number 5 and my heart began to sink. I couldn’t help but look at the suggested questions all neatly lined up and compare them to the blurting inquisitions that spew out of my own mouth on a regular basis.
Questions to Ask Your Teenager.(According to a Specialist…)
You will find below, the questions that the psychologists recommend you ask your difficult/moody/angry teenager.
Alongside are the alternatives of a psychotic Mother who gets it wrong/every/farts/end.
Please feel free to give yourself a little test (there’s a pencil in the cutlery drawer).
- What is worse – this OR this? Me: You can either do the dishwasher, or you can empty the bins. No, I’ll tell you what, seeing as you get more pocket money than your sister, how about you do BOTH?
- What makes it better – this OR this? No discussion, just do it. OK?
- Are you feeling more angry/hurt? You need an early night. What time did you turn your phone off last night?
- How does that affect you? Why don’t you just come off Facebook and Snapchat? They’re all a load of twaddle.
- When you aren’t busy/when you are lying in bed at night – what are the things that make you most upset? Have you finished your reading response for English? You look like death warmed up. Why aren’t you asleep yet?
- Is there anything about this you feel embarrassed or ashamed about? I can not BELIEVE that you posted that on Facebook. Aunty Vera reads everything you put up. What were you thinking? Delete it, NOW.
- What do you wish you could change about yourself in all of this? You need to find yourself a different attitude my girl, don’t you think?
- What makes you feel a bit better about all of this? Do you want $10 for a Subway?
- What’s the most frustrating part of it all? You need to stop answering back and calm yourself down. Why don’t you go outside and get some fresh air?
- What do you think people don’t understand about this? Maybe I should text you? Maybe then you’d answer me when I ask you a question. Would you rather I text you? Is that it?
- What do you wish you could change about yourself in all of this? You want to be careful. Put something on YouTube, and that’s it. Forever. Everyone can see it. It doesn’t look good, does it?
- What is coming up in your week that will be hard? Don’t be dramatic, just get some early nights. Have you had plenty of water today? You look dehydrated.
- Why do you think that made you so mad/upset/worried? Can’t you see that you need to start spending more time in the real world and less time on your phone? It’s not all smiley emojis and thumbs up in this house you know. I won’t tell you again, empty the bins.
- Is there someone else you would like to talk to about this? Do you even remember how to hold a face to face conversation with a human being?
- What helps you cope? Do you want to come for a coffee? Don’t worry, they have wifi.
- This might seem like a dumb question, but do you know why you are most upset about that? Why do you talk to me like I’m a moron?
- What are times of day the hardest for you? Tired? Well maybe if you tried getting to bed earlier at night, like a normal human being, you wouldn’t be snottering in bed every morning. Get up. Now.
- What can I do to help? Want to hear my cat with a speech impediment voice?
- If you had unlimited powers to change things, what would you do? Shall I keep this Harry Potter wand and cloak? You might want to play with it again one day. I’ll put it in the spare room then. Just in case.
- What are your options? We love you so much. Don’t ever forget that will you? Leave the bins today. You’re Dad’ll do them.
How did you do? Better than me I hope.
The truth is, we do have to ask our teenagers the right questions. It’s just that we also need a little manual on how to react to the answers. Maybe an App of some sort. Nothing out there for that though, is there Johnny boy?
I’m thinking something along the lines of this:
How a Perfect Parent Would Look in the Eyes of her Teenager.
Q: What helps you cope?
Teenager: Being left alone with plenty of food and unlimited data.
Wrong answer from us: Cheeky swine! Wouldnt we all like to while away the day doing exactly as we damn well pleased...
Right answer from us: Well there’s plenty of food in the fridge just help yourself, and I’ll phone your Dad and tell him to increase the data plan. I’ll give you a knock when I’ve finished slaving away in the kitchen making you some more food. Love you, sweetheart.
Q: What is coming up in your week that will be hard?
Teenager: Life.
Wrong answer from us: When I was your age I was humping a pig to get a free pony ride
Right answer from us: Yes. Life is hard. Even though your Dad works his ar*e off and I have given up on ever earning another penny in order to homeschool you, it’s tough. Take the week off. Relax.
Q: What do you wish you could change about yourself in all of this?
Teenager: I wish I were 21. With a billion YouTube Subscribers. I wish I were a millionaire. And, I wish I could always sit in the front.
Wrong answer from us: Well your bloody well not. You’re 16, you need to pass these exams otherwise you’ll be a dropout and people will blame me for homeschooling you. I’ll give you $30 to cut the grass.It’s not your turn.
Right answer from us: How about we treat you like a 21-year-old? You are mature enough after all. We will give you everything you need, including buying you more subscribers. And I’ll put your sister in the boot from now on.
Hhmm. How about it? Think it’d work?
Let’s all make a point of not just asking the right questions but also reacting to the answers with kindness.
I’ve got a week of niceness left. I’m going to try it. This will be the new me.
And if it fails?
I’ll be climbing into that bloody computer, running after Johnny with a knife.
Oh… Bless him! I can’t seem to get it right, but no matter that I always get it wrong -we manage to laugh about it!
Love it!!
Not sure who I feel most sorry for… you or them!!xx
Me. always me…
To be fair I much prefer your original line of questioning! #twinklytuesday
Yes… me too! Thanks so much for reading! X
Ha – I love your posts! Mine aren’t quite at this stage yet (eldest is 14, next is 11, then 8) but I did read a brill book the other year called ‘why are they so weird’ about the brain growth of tweens and teens which was ace – it explained why they do a lot of things. I’d love to read it again but I lent it to someone and I can’t remember who! It’s probably that mum I know who seems to have it all sorted out!
Thank you Alex ? you’re nearly there… 14… a boy or a girl?
Girl. Boy is 12. I’m not sure who is worse. And also it’s not necessarily the age, more the personalities – my 8 year old (girl) is often the biggest drama queen of them all! I don’t know who she takes after! ?
Haha! ?
I only like some of the doctor’s questions but yours are more realistic and it’s how I would be. My oldest is 15 but we haven’t had a lot of issues yet. the only issue we have really come across is washing his own dishes and taking a shower, lol #bloggerclubuk
We are the opposite with the shower… takes one every night about midnight? ?Thanks so much for your comment x
Baby Lighty is only two, and I’m already dreading the teenage years!! I’ll bear these helpful questions and answers in mind when the time comes, ha!! Thanks so much for linking up to #DreamTeam!
Thank you! 2… you’ve got years of loveliness left yet!! X
Hahaha! Oh teenage years you can wait! My two are 5 and 1 and I have to say I think the teenage years will be the hardest, [gulp]!
We do have to listen to them and attempt open discussions rather than dictate to them but when they come back with a smarty pants answers it certainly doesn’t help the voice inside your head saying ‘open discussion’, ‘ask questions’. ‘don’t get angry’.
#DreamTeam
The psych question are totally unrealistic. Just imagine the eye rolls if you started splurging them out word for word. Think you’re better off sticking to character ?
DREADING the teenage years, I am already butting heads with my diva nearly 4 year old. Things will get ugly. Your questions are soooo much better. Why beat around the bush?! Mr Google is great for advice, right? #FridayFrolics
Isn’t he just! I don’t mean to paint as scarey picture… but to be honest I’d rather have a four year old again! (Sometimes!) Thanks so much for reading! Liz x
I’m not even sure sometimes that I speak the same language as our teenager. She certainly looks at me like I’m speaking Swahili most of the time #stayclassy
Join the club! ?
I am not looking forward to the teenage years. #Postsfromtheheart
Aww they’re not all bad!?
OMG I am so afraid of the teen years! I am only 3 years away with my oldest and I am literally terrified that I am going to turn him into a crazy person…this questions will be much needed, and WINE lots of WINE
#AnythingGoes
Haha! The next post I’ve written was just for you! I felt guilty that I scared you, and yes, if the post doesn’t work drink wine… and don’t stop for 8 years! Thank you for your comment, liz x
Hahaha this cracked me up! Your questions were so much better – I always find the psychologist-type style so strange. If my mum had tried to speak to me like that as a teen I’d have been so creeped out! I take it there’s a lot of phone/social media activity in your household!? Responding with kindness (or trying at least) is probably a much more effective idea #dreamteam
Me too! And yes, responding with kindness. I just need to write it on my forehead! Thank you for your comment my friend x
I can’t help but think if my parents had tried those questions on teen me, the look of disdain would have been much more noticeable than if they’d talked to me like human beings lol.
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
Yep! Me too Debbie! X
Haha – I like your questions better! As I have two toddlers, the only question I ask is ‘what??’ ‘What are you doing??’ ‘What is that??’ ‘What is the problem??’ ‘WHAT DO YOU WANT??’
Thanks so much for joining us for #FridayFrolics
Hahaha! Yes! The old what question! Careful with that one though… they turn it around into you with “whatever…” ?? thanks for reading! X
Oh Liz some lovely light relief. I have barely seen my eldest over the summer holidays here apart from the 24 hours between each of his multiple holidays and I have spent all my time washing and ironing his clothes whilst he simply lays down and recovers! There have been words! Lots of them. I have changed my tactics on several occasions and asked numerous questions and everytime I have got it wrong and am in the wrong of course. We clearly live on different planets. Happy days. #TweensTeensBeyond
Ahh… I feel you Jo! I just seem to be in the right track and then he goes and changes the rules again? lovely to hear from you, is the linky back on? I’ve missed you guys! X