Dear Parents of Teenage Boys:
I’ve been on the struggle bus with Dominic, who is 14 and all eat up with hormones. You know this from posts like these.
We usually cannot speak without a fight.
But this week things have been different.
We are at the beach for spring break — just the boys and me because Eddie had to work.
He has been helpful when he does emerge from the cocoon of his room. But he has barely left that room.
On Monday, my phone rings. I see it is him. CALLING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. I do not answer it. Because:
- I hate talking on the phone.
- He was 10 feet away.
I go to the room. I hear him yelling, “Pick up the phone!” I open the door.
Me: What do you want?
Him: Why didn’t you answer?
Me: Because you are 10 feet away, and it is insane for you to call me. What do you want?
Him: I think my molar is loose.
Me: (Rolls eyes. Walks out of the room.)
Then he sends me this text:
The next day, I go in the room to make sure he is alive. I open the door, see that he is and leave. Then I get this text:
(Note: If you don’t recognize the Matt Foley reference, I’m afraid we cannot continue to be friends.)
Then he starts communicating in memes, to which I finally respond with my own.
So I guess what I’m asking is, is this normal? Is this what puberty looks like among Gen Z? Do I need to seek help for him? For myself?
Please advise,
Beth
Hi, Beth. I’m relatively new to your blog and just want you to know I really enjoyed this post and the one before it (the hoochie shorts). I totally get your sense of humor. Check out my About page if you want; it’s been updated recently.
As for your son, he seems to like you as a person. Congratulations! But maybe it’s a little awkward for him at the same time, that you’re not just mommy anymore.
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Thank you so much! I’ll check out your work.
And you are probably right. I have really enjoyed this week with him, as weird as it has been.
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You’ll have to admit that BunGeeZus is pretty funny! 😂
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Absolutely it is!
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So many emotions reading this! “I’m hungry for wet” might be the single most terrifying phrase I’ve ever read. I also love that your contact photo for him is a baby picture.
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I know! So gross. And I like to remember him when he was nice.
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