The Quintessential Fifteen Year Old

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[url="http://www.gocomics.com/forbetterorforworse"]My link[/url]
This caricature (Michael) was me, long ago and my children's attitude was just the same growing up too.


I never thought about how hard my mom and dad worked, or appreciated, until there were gone. I guess my children will catch on someday too, hopefully before I'm dead and buried.

[CatherineM]

I've often thought that it might be nice to freeze teenagers until they are about 25 or so. Easier on parents, easier on the teens too.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='apparently' timestamp='1290375669' post='2188419']
[url="http://www.gocomics.com/forbetterorforworse"]My link[/url]
This caricature (Michael) was me, long ago and my children's attitude was just the same growing up too.


I never thought about how hard my mom and dad worked, or appreciated, until there were gone. I guess my children will catch on someday too, hopefully before I'm dead and buried.
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Your children might catch on, and they might not. I have come to appreciate what my mother had to put up with when I was a teenager, and I have told her so. I just wish she hadn't agreed QUITE so readily when I admitted that I was a total beotch when I was 15.

On the other hand, my father and I still fight as badly as when I was 15. For my own emotional protection, I speak to my father as little as possible. Sometimes you can't win, no matter how hard you try.

I also feel that my virtues were not appreciated by my parents when I was 15. Okay, I admit, I was a total beotch and a nightmare to live with.

However, at the same time, I got literally perfect grades, didn't drink or smoke (either tobacco or funny substances), I graduated high school (and college) a virgin, my friends were all good kids, and my parents never once had to worry that we were getting into trouble (because we weren't). Because I was such a beotch, my parents never fully appreciated that it could have been much, much, worse. Even though my mother and I mostly get along well (as long as we keep our visits short), she still doesn't give me credit for the fact that I was in many ways a model teenager--I just had a terrible attitude. Life is not fair.


[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1290379531' post='2188424']
I've often thought that it might be nice to freeze teenagers until they are about 25 or so. Easier on parents, easier on the teens too.
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Personally, I think that, in at least some cases, it should be at least age 30. I know many 25-year olds who are wonderful, mature, fun people, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. However, I know others who probably should be frozen until they are at least 40 (or longer).

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' timestamp='1290382020' post='2188438']



Personally, I think that, in at least some cases, it should be at least age 30. I know many 25-year olds who are wonderful, mature, fun people, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. However, I know others who probably should be frozen until they are at least 40 (or longer).
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I've just started to realise how ungrateful I've been. For me you better make that 60!

[SoonerCatholic]

I think that I am still too close to age 15 to reflect too deeply on my no doubt less than stellar attitude, but I have good parents still

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='apparently' timestamp='1290375669' post='2188419']
[url="http://www.gocomics.com/forbetterorforworse"]My link[/url]
This caricature (Michael) was me, long ago and my children's attitude was just the same growing up too.


I never thought about how hard my mom and dad worked, or appreciated, until there were gone. I guess my children will catch on someday too, hopefully before I'm dead and buried.
[/quote]

Well it seems you had great parents that did their job raising you very well. They did not feel the need to burden their child with how hard they worked to raise them, or to beat their child up with tales of the sacrifices they had to endure to give you what you needed to mature. They decided not to weigh you down with guilt over their choice to bring a child into the world, their acting this way allowed you a carefree childhood. It also allowed you to mature and decide to have children of your own, probably as you remember the warmth and love you received from the selfless saints that raised you and feel compelled to pass this on to another soul. In reality you never owed it to your parents to recognize the sufferings they endured for you, you owe them no apology nor any thank you, and I doubt they would have wanted one anyway. If you somehow possessed some maturity beyond what God allows the average child to enjoy and offered thanks for your parents works for you they would probably have told you none was needed as they did this for you as you are part of them, an extension of their love from God. Do not worry though, I bet God has rewarded them well.

ed

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[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' timestamp='1290382020' post='2188438']
However, at the same time, I got literally perfect grades, didn't drink or smoke (either tobacco or funny substances), I graduated high school (and college) a virgin, my friends were all good kids, and my parents never once had to worry that we were getting into trouble (because we weren't). Because I was such a beotch, my parents never fully appreciated that it could have been much, much, worse. Even though my mother and I mostly get along well (as long as we keep our visits short), she still doesn't give me credit for the fact that I was in many ways a model teenager--I just had a terrible attitude. Life is not fair.
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yes I'm guilty of not seeing or appreciating good behavior of my children.

i was at the grocery store and this boy behind me yelled over my sholder to his mom at the cash register, it was something rude (the mom just gave his the look and continued as if he was not their). this boy had bangs over his eyes and his hair was died pink , he also had several piercings.
the sight of this made me appreciate how good my kids are.
so if any of you are listening, i love you - you are the best