At a certain stage, we must take a moment to truly reflect on the teenagers we have nurtured and guided with love. With a gentle smile, we might need to say, “Stop your nonsense.” These three words can significantly influence our children’s development into responsible adults and contribute positively to society.
My upbringing was quite different; my parents never communicated with my siblings and me in this direct way. Fortunately, I met a wonderful guy when I was 19, and after a couple of dates and numerous phone chats, he candidly expressed what many had thought before. While we were enjoying dinner together, I was going on about something I felt he should have done—perhaps critiquing his choice of music. He looked at me and said, with both affection and humor, “Stop your nonsense.”
And I did. We’ve been together for nearly 30 years now, and that straightforward guidance helped me transform into a more considerate and reasonable person. I let go of my unspoken expectations and stopped assuming I was always right. I learned to appreciate other perspectives, and I began to hold doors for others instead of racing through them.
It’s often the small actions that lead to significant changes in our lives. Before long, we find ourselves either acting reasonably or behaving selfishly. My transition to being “reasonable” wasn’t instantaneous; it required several reminders from my partner, Jake. But I eventually made a conscious choice to move beyond the self-absorbed girl I once was.
In contrast, my siblings never had anyone tell them to stop it. Consequently, my sister still insists that family vacations cater to her preferences, even if that includes a long, tedious museum visit. My brother has settled down with someone who seldom challenges him, leading him to believe he can still insist on the $60 cake because it’s “healthier.”
As parents, we recognize that this is the age when such unreasonable attitudes start to surface. Between 14 and 18, our once-adorable kids may start to believe the universe revolves around them. If we don’t intervene, they might carry that belief into adulthood.
I was caught off guard; I had been too busy managing life to notice the shift. My sons would go to bed with hugs and kisses, only to wake up as moody teenagers convinced of their own importance. They needed my guidance to regain perspective. I told them to stop their nonsense.
It’s challenging, but it was just as tough during their toddler years when I wished I could distract them with cartoons all day. Fellow parents, let’s tackle this together. Here are some typical teenage remarks from my home that needed a firm but loving reality check:
- “I’m grown up now!”
- “I don’t want to discuss it.”
- “Whatever.”
- “Bobby’s mom said it was fine.”
- “Isn’t wine great?”
- “The game has only a few minutes left; I’ll join you after.”
- “You can just shake the boxes to check for cereal.”
- “Why did Aunt Martha’s funeral have to be scheduled during playoffs?”
- “I didn’t trash talk, Dad; I was just being honest.”
- “Can you drive back to school and bring me my missing folder? Or would you rather I fail?”
- “While you’re up, can you grab me the ketchup, a napkin, and the remote?”
- “I’d like to finish my point before you lecture me.”
Let’s unite in this, fellow parents. We’ll have no one to blame if our children grow up to be inconsiderate adults. It’s time to stand tall and say, with warmth and humor, “Stop your nonsense.” We’ll feel great about it, and so will the world around us.
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In summary, addressing teenage entitlement and unreasonable behavior is crucial for their development into responsible adults. By using direct yet loving communication, we can guide our children toward a more thoughtful and considerate approach to life.
Keyphrase: Parenting teenagers effectively
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