Well, have you taught your daughter Ancient Greek?

I honestly don't think you get the real "feel" of Homer in English. Your daughter needs to study Ancient Greek history and the language itself to truly "get" Homer. The culture and mentality of Ancient Greeks is so old and so far removed from what we know today that the translation just doesn't communicate the feel of the text and the story.

I mean, really teach her Ancient Greek. She needs to move beyond those stupid Athenaze texts, with their dippy stories of Dikaiopolis and his wife Myrrhine and their daughter and dog, or whatever. She probably never will, but that's what it would take for her to "get" Homer.

This is age-appropriate behavior, no different than when she was 2. Ignore and redirect. lol

Anonymous wrote:I know people are making light of this, but it happened to me, too. It's not pretty.

It started with belittling The Odyssey, sure. But then, while listening to Bach one evening, she blurted out that she "just couldn't see the merit--with any of the Baroque composers, frankly". Then she complained that Michelangelo was "technically competent but derivative". It only got worse from there. The Renaissance, Antiquity, all on the ash heap of history in her eyes.

If I want to see her now there's a certain street she works in Anacostia. I drive there some nights, just hoping to catch a glimpse. Get her help while you can.

Op, are you being serious? Why are you taking her so literally. Just roll your eyes or laugh. You're the expert, not her. She's 15.

--another teacher with a teenager

One of my all time favorite books. I had a similar experience with Shakespeare and my DS. I wanted him to love it as much as I do, he hates it. Disappointing for sure. Your daughter sounds very bright, I particularly like the Sebring carpenter comment. Start analyzing a few of her songs at dinner, it will stop.

This can't be real.

In the great words of Frozen - Let it Go! Let it Go!

Seriously. This is a stupid dispute to be having with your kid. Roll your eyes and move on.

Why are the two of you spending so much time taking about this ancient book?! Drop the rope mom. Geeze. There are a billion other things to talk about. Of course you know this, but she keeps wanting to talk about this book as a way of rejecting you, right? Seems like very standard teenage behavior. I guess you think if you can get her to accept the book or see the value of it, It will somehow redeem you and her eyes? Ignore. Move on. New topic. Stop taking the bait.

I know people are making light of this, but it happened to me, too. It's not pretty.

It started with belittling The Odyssey, sure. But then, while listening to Bach one evening, she blurted out that she "just couldn't see the merit--with any of the Baroque composers, frankly". Then she complained that Michelangelo was "technically competent but derivative". It only got worse from there. The Renaissance, Antiquity, all on the ash heap of history in her eyes.

If I want to see her now there's a certain street she works in Anacostia. I drive there some nights, just hoping to catch a glimpse. Get her help while you can.

Unacceptable. I would force her to read the Aeneid and take away her phone till she finishes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is your biggest problem with your 15 year old, count your blessings.

+1000 if this is real, this is actually the most adorable way of a teenage girl trying to get under her mom‘s skin.

Agree.
And: she's engaging with the text! She's reading it and using her critical faculties. I think it's actually not only adorable but mature. You should reframe your thinking about it.

I will tell you what I tell my kids about their siblings. They are trying to get your goat. It’s your goat, don’t let anyone get it. They can get their own damn goat.
It’s a strained metaphor but has underlying truth.

Anonymous wrote:If this is your biggest problem with your 15 year old, count your blessings.

+1000 if this is real, this is actually the most adorable way of a teenage girl trying to get under her mom‘s skin.

Of course she's doing it to get under your skin! This is classic teen behavior. It's ok for her not to like the things you do. Let her have her opinion and just pray that she doesn't say something like this in public because having Sabrina Carpenter of all people as her cultural and literary touchstone really makes her sound unintelligent.

ANOTHER APPROACH:

OP: If your daughter dislikes your favorite book, then have her watch the movie version released in the year 2000 (The Coen Brothers' "O Brother, Where Art Thou ?".

If she dislikes the movie version by the Coen Brothers, then she ain't got no class.