10 Reasons I am Grateful for My Teenagers

by ParentCo. November 16, 2017

This is a submission in our monthly contest. November’s theme is Gratitude. It’s been a really long time since my three babies have been babies. I have to admit I do miss their baby smell, their crinkly little faces and their ever so tiny toes. Teenagers on the other hand get a bit a bum rap. Many times they are moody, messy, and smell a little like musty socks. But they are also fun and funny and really terrific. So in honor of Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude, here are 10 reasons I am grateful to be the parent of a teenager

1 | No worries about waking up a sleeping baby

I am not quite sure how the phrase “Sleeping like a baby” gained its popularity. After all, everyone knows most babies do not sleep very well – at least not at night. Now teens are a different story. Nothing wakes a sleeping teenager. Not doorbells, phone calls, or even shouting their names at the top of your lungs.

2 | They keep you current – but not too current

There is a great line in the movie "Mean Girls" when “cool mom" Amy Poehler asks her daughters’ friends for the “411” on gossip, music, and everything trendy. While I would not recommend her approach, teens do offer their parents a peek at what’s cool and hip. When Gavin DeGraw opened for Billy Joel, I was the only person in our party that knew what songs he sang and that he was not married to Gwen Stefani.

3 | They don’t watch Elmo, Big Bird, or Cookie Monster

Oh Elmo – you saved me many early mornings when my kids would wake up at the crack of dawn and the coffee wasn’t brewed yet. While I have fond memories of seeing "Dora the Explorer" and "Barney Live," I cannot say I miss watching these shows are listen to the Wiggles classic “Fruit Salad” over and over again.

4 | They don’t catch every cold, flu, and stomach virus

When my kids were in preschool they were germ magnets. If something was going around – it was coming to my house. I saw more of my pediatrician those years then my husbands. Runny noses, ear infections, and croup that always hit in the middle of the night – these are a few of my not so favorite things.

5 | They always give an honest opinion

“Mirror, mirror on the wall – are these pants giving me camel-toe?” You don’t need a talking mirror when you have a teen. While sales people may lie to you, teens have no problem telling you what you are wearing is unflattering, uncool, or just plain ugly. And a compliment from a teen means you sweater really does look good, and it will probably be missing in a few days.

6 | They offer in home tech support with no service fee

They can fix the computer, download apps, and educate you on the proper usage of emojis. Even my pre-teen son knows how to re-boot my laptop and can make sure that I have a not so embarrassing playlist on my iPod. He introduced me to Trivia Crack and 2048 so now I have something to do on the carpool line.

7 | They can drive

The first few times my daughter drove the car alone, it was so scary. I would hold my breath until she texted (after parking and turning off the car) she had arrived at her destination. But as the months past and she gained more experience as a driver, it was nice not to have to chauffer her especially on freezing cold nights.

8 | They can get things off the high shelf

It is weird at first when you have to look up to speak to your child. When my daughter first got taller than me, I wore wedged boots most of the time because I hated feeling so small. But having someone tall does make putting away the dishes a lot easier.

9 | They make you put your thinking cap on

From current events to sports knowledge – my teens keep my on my toes. Helping my son with his homework reminds me of facts and history that have been dormant in my brain for many years. Listening to them form opinions on politics and world events is fascinating and has made me rethink some of my own views.

10 | They are fun to hang out with

While spending time with little kids is great, there are many things you can share with your kids once they are older and more mature. I love going to Broadway shows with my teens and going to movies like the "Hunger Games" and "Fault in the Stars." You are still their parent but in the words of Rick from "Casablanca," “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” as well.

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