Teen argues about the littlest things

[Anonymous]

Does your teen argue on the wrong side of things about EVERYTHING?

Examples - Trying to get him to make sure his numbers in his math homework are written legibly. He says "I don't have to make sure they are readable." *bangs head on desk*
Me - I suggest you use a pencil for math, so you can erase your mistakes. His response, "I don't make mistakes." Me - looks at worksheet written in ink with errors

He would rather spend his time on why he's right and because his friends also do it wrong, it must be right!

Why do they make things soooo hard??

[Anonymous]

Since you're so involved in his math homework despite his age, why not just take it to the next level and instead of suggesting, simply tell him he must use a pencil? Why give him the choice to do something and then get angry he doesn't make the choice you'd have made?

[Anonymous]

I wasn't on the bus when he did his homework with a red pen. :-/

[Anonymous]

I'm going to give you honest feedback: I think you are micromanaging your teenager. The things you are telling him to do are the kinds of things he would say to a six-year-old. If he is constantly arguing with you, maybe you should ask yourself what your contribution is.

[Anonymous]

The kinds of things you would say to a six-year-old, not he

[Anonymous]

Let him experience natural consequences. Back off.

[Anonymous]

Yes. But you are picking stupid battles. Ours involve whether Elvis is still alive, whether everything you read on the Internet is true, whether it takes longer to drive to school in the rain. But it gets better.

[Anonymous]

You need to take four GIANT steps backwards. He's a teen. Let him do it his way. If it doesn't work out, that's how he learns.

[Anonymous]

Back the parent truck up. You are way over involved and over parenting.

[Anonymous]

Over parenting - totally ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Don't suggest. Tell him.

My 7th grader's math teacher fights the pencil battle all year with her class, so I reinforce at home: "math is always in pencil!".

I have let nothing slide over the years, and my kid is attentive and polite, and every year I have less to monitor and give him more responsibility. That's what happens when you front-load.

I'll let you in on a little secret: the parents who accuse other of helicoptering don't actually have the energy or intelligence to parent. They're lazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Don't suggest. Tell him.

My 7th grader's math teacher fights the pencil battle all year with her class, so I reinforce at home: "math is always in pencil!".

I have let nothing slide over the years, and my kid is attentive and polite, and every year I have less to monitor and give him more responsibility. That's what happens when you front-load.

I'll let you in on a little secret: the parents who accuse other of helicoptering don't actually have the energy or intelligence to parent. They're lazy.

That’s ridiculous. I might suggest if I saw the math work in pen that use a pencil, but I wouldn’t make him do it. My kids are at pretty strict private schools though and they’d get a 0 for work done in the wrong format. It is hard to remember sometimes though- one teacher wants black ink for work, one pencil etc. Math that’s simply common sense but I’d let the teacher handle it .

[Anonymous]

I have not looked at my kids homework since sixth grade. I do look online at their grades but is is not even once a week. If they are missing work or or don't have an A or a B I discuss it with them. You need to teach him he can do it on his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Don't suggest. Tell him.

My 7th grader's math teacher fights the pencil battle all year with her class, so I reinforce at home: "math is always in pencil!".

I have let nothing slide over the years, and my kid is attentive and polite, and every year I have less to monitor and give him more responsibility. That's what happens when you front-load.

I'll let you in on a little secret: the parents who accuse other of helicoptering don't actually have the energy or intelligence to parent. They're lazy.

That’s ridiculous. I might suggest if I saw the math work in pen that use a pencil, but I wouldn’t make him do it. My kids are at pretty strict private schools though and they’d get a 0 for work done in the wrong format. It is hard to remember sometimes though- one teacher wants black ink for work, one pencil etc. Math that’s simply common sense but I’d let the teacher handle it .

Of course you think it's ridiculous. I didn't post this thinking I was going to get +1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Don't suggest. Tell him.

My 7th grader's math teacher fights the pencil battle all year with her class, so I reinforce at home: "math is always in pencil!".

I have let nothing slide over the years, and my kid is attentive and polite, and every year I have less to monitor and give him more responsibility. That's what happens when you front-load.

I'll let you in on a little secret: the parents who accuse other of helicoptering don't actually have the energy or intelligence to parent. They're lazy.

That’s ridiculous. I might suggest if I saw the math work in pen that use a pencil, but I wouldn’t make him do it. My kids are at pretty strict private schools though and they’d get a 0 for work done in the wrong format. It is hard to remember sometimes though- one teacher wants black ink for work, one pencil etc. Math that’s simply common sense but I’d let the teacher handle it .

Of course you think it's ridiculous. I didn't post this thinking I was going to get +1.

I’m sure. You’re “I have never let anything slide over the years” says it all. Really?