Ungrateful children?

[Anonymous]

This seems so petty, but I can't help feeling angry at my kids right now. I was able to get 2 tickets to the Nats game, and thought my only trouble would be figuring out which kid to take with me. Instead, they spent 10 minutes arguing with each other about who should go, because neither one wants to! I know my daughter wants to spend time on her new iPod, and my son wants to play computer games with his friends. I feel like they are choosing technology over spending time with me. They're not huge baseball fans, but they've willingly gone to games with me in the past and enjoyed themselves. I'm just feeling that they are ungrateful for the trouble I went to get these tickets, and that they don't value the time spent with me. I'm going anyway with a relative, but my heart won't be in it. Am I crazy for feeling this hurt?

[Anonymous]

It was nice of you but you should probably ask if they want to go next time.

[Anonymous]

yes you are crazy for feeling hurt. why would you expect kids to have the maturity and perspective to value time with a parent doing something that is not interesting to them? in hindsight as adults they would likely look back and regret it, but kids live in the present moment.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you feel hurt. I know that sucks. But I'm going to tell you what I tell my brother, who tends to make his time with his son all about what my brother wants to do -- offer to do something with them that "they" enjoy, at least some of the time. This isn't necessarily about gratitude as much as it is different interests.

[Anonymous]

No, I get it. This past summer, we took our kids (13& 8) to the Grand Canyon. We'd never done a big trip like that before. At one point, we were hiking into the canyon, and the oldest was being such a selfish fool. He just couldn't be bothered with enjoying the beauty and awesomeness of where we were nor the time with his family. I started to get really angry, and then I remembered he was 13. It passed.

[Anonymous]

You realize you actually bought them for yourself right? You wanted to bring someone and it was nice you thought of your kids first, but that was a secondary benefit. Their teens, and although most of adults would realize what a great thing it is to go to a playoff game, they won't. As a previous poster mentioned, years from now they'll probably regret, but really, you don't have any reason to be made at them. It was you that wanted to go, not them.

[Anonymous]

Glad you've just how big jackasses teens can be.

Seriously, they dont want to hang out with you, they dont want to be seen with you, hell they dont want to talk to you half the time.

Then they grow up, and they thank you for everything and love you again. It will pass, and then they will be calling you every birthday, anniversary, and bringing their own uncontrollable teens to your house for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the OP, but often feel like she did. I love the responses everyone posted! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Take a friend and enjoy.

Your kids were probably graceless. Welcome to life-with-teens. I know you meant well, but our kids leave the age when spending time with us is fun and it hurts.

[Anonymous]

Well yes, they were ungrateful that you tried to give them something they didn't want. You tried to give them something YOU wanted, and then got upset they didn't want it too.

You being butthurt because they didn't want what you wanted is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Relax You should have enjoyed the game. And I couldn't understand why you got 2 tickets instead of 3..... It probably says a little about togetherness at your home. For us, unless we were given the Tickets. I would never buy 3 tickets when there are 4 of us..... We either all go or all not go.

[Anonymous]

I hate baseball. So boring. Sorry mom but you struck out on this one.

Teens like teen things.