Teens, is it fun? Are they rewarding?

[Anonymous]

What is it like having teens? It seems like SO much worry about the heavy consequences of life, and SO much busyness, crazy schedules.
Is it also fun? Do you enjoy having teens?
DH and I are debating more children and enjoy the young years. His argument against more kids is the expense and misery of ages 11+
Is he right? Seems like families with middle schoolers and older are pretty miserable and stressed.

[Anonymous]

Even if they drive you crazy, they are your kids - you've had them in your house for 13+ years. By that point, you realize that your time with them is fleeting...

[Anonymous]

I am really curious. We have four young daughters and I am scared shitless.

[Anonymous]

They are a blast. I love seeing them morphing into adults.

Mine are 18 and 15 and it's fabulous.

[Anonymous]

PP with 4 girls here.
What about "attitude"? It's already emerging in our preteen and I am not sure I will be able to handle it in 4 at once...

[Anonymous]

They're funny. And surprising. I love seeing them grow and remembering what they were like when they were little and what got them to where they are. Yes, things are busy but they don't have to eat dinner right at 6, and they do alot on their own. There is miscommunication and frustration at times, but no more than when they were toddlers - for me, that was the worst.

[Anonymous]

I love having a teen. It's true what they say about little kids, little problems - big kids, big problems, but this young man is interesting and funny, and I learn things from him and this experience constantly.

[Anonymous]

I think mother nature is kind when it comes to our biological children. She doesn't throw us a toddler all at once, or a teen. You ease in and adapt, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are a blast. I love seeing them morphing into adults.

Mine are 18 and 15 and it's fabulous.

+1.

It is so much fun watching them learn to navigate the world on their own, and become their own person. And they are so much more interesting and enjoyable to talk to then toddlers and young children.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoy my 15 year old son. He is funny, kind, sarcastic, loving, and yeah, sometimes a PITA. I enjoy watching him grow and learn how to be a man, and guiding him along the way. He values my advice and we have some deep and interesting conversations, but friends are more and more important in the past six months or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are a blast. I love seeing them morphing into adults.

Mine are 18 and 15 and it's fabulous.

+1.

It is so much fun watching them learn to navigate the world on their own, and become their own person. And they are so much more interesting and enjoyable to talk to then toddlers and young children.

This is how I feel too, with a 16 year old (daughter) and a 14 year old (son). I'm really impressed by both of them, and think they are both very good company.

I can't really say there has been too much of an increase in attitude--I think that is more of a function of kids' personalities than it is a teen thing, per se. My daughter was a thoughtful, reasonable and independent little kid and she's the same as a teen, only occasionally getting grumpy or snappish due to school stress. My son has always been headstrong and a boundary pusher, and we do sometimes get treated to yelling and door-slamming. On the other hand, he seems more interested in our reasons for not letting him do particular things than he did when he was little and only cared about getting his way. On some level he appreciates that we are trying to keep him on a smart path, and will fairly frequently apologize for any over the top behavior. We spend a lot of one on one time with each of them due to their packed sports schedules, which I think helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am really curious. We have four young daughters and I am scared shitless.

Ha! You should be.

[Anonymous]

My kids are 24, 21, 12, and 9.

It's awesome to have teens. They remind you of how dramatic you were when you were a teenager. You can see flashes of who they'll be as adults, and you get so excited for them to grow up so you can be friends with them. Sure there are some slammed doors and non-sensical crying fits. Like the time I asked my 14 yr old if she wanted to come with me to the farmer's market and she burst into tears as she ran to her room and cried hysterically on her bed. But then there are times when you're sick and they make dinner for everyone. Or when you go clothing shopping and they're more helpful than any salesperson. Or when they tell you all the school gossip and you can have an intelligent conversation about why kids are doing and saying what they are. For me at least, the good outweighs the bad.

[Anonymous]

I am not enjoying it at all.

[Anonymous]

Agree with lots of the PPs, I love the teen years. Ours is 18 and spending time with her and her friends as they've navigated their MS, HS, and now college years has been a blast. I'll take teens over babies and toddlers any day.