Teenagers often get a bad rap. I contribute often to their bad reputation. Nothing one experiences in the school age years prepares a parent for what happens in the teen years. And yet, there are good things about them. Teenagers do have some good qualities. As a matter of fact, there is a lot to love about teenagers. I thought I would share some of the things I love about having two teenage boys.
Ten Things I Love About Teenagers
1. Teens do chores.
Teenagers are required to do chores to keep up their fun lifestyle. Not only do they have to work around the house, they have to do a good job at it. Last week, I glanced outdoors to see one son washing my car and the other mowing the lawn. I could not help but smile. I had to nag both of them for 20 minutes, but they did it.
2. Teens are funny.
This is a fact about teens I did not realize. In between the anger and pouting teens do, there is a lot of humor. My boys crack jokes all the time. However, when I am the focus of the joke it is not so funny.
3. Teens are helpful.
Yesterday, I was very moody and my little son was moody. My husband was at work and not able to help out the two of us. But the teenagers were home. At one point I confessed I could not take it anymore and my two boys took over. They played with my little son and made him lunch. I hid in my bedroom until my blood pressure went down and I was able to talk without yelling.
4. Teens can wipe their own butt.
This is a big one. My little son still needs help with butt wiping. I am very grateful for older boys who can do it by themselves.
5. Teens are techno savvy.
I am not a tech girl. My teen boys are. There is no technology issue on the computer, blog or my Robot Girl they are not able to help with. Yesterday I struggled to load photos into my blog for photo Friday and Old Boy helped out.
6. Teens begin to think of others.
I say ‘begin’ because they still can be very egocentric sometimes. However, my teen boys often talk about injustices in the world and want to do something about it. It is great to hear them wanting to make the world a better place. I just have to make sure they have lunch first.
7. Teens are interesting.
Unlike a young child or school age child, teenagers talk about interesting topics. They are versed in current events and cultural issues. Teens know things I do not and enjoy sharing their knowledge. Unfortunately, sometimes they act like they know everything and that gets annoying.
8. Teens are cute.
My boys are now as tall or taller than both their parents. They do their hair everyday and wear semi-fashionable clothes. Sometimes I look at them and think, “Hey, they are kinda cute. ” They would be cuter if they did talk though.
9. Teens are good listeners.
This is a tricky statement about teens, but teens can be good listeners. There have been times riding in the car, I needed to talk about an issue. The boys listen to me and give useful feedback. This does not happen as much as I would like, but it does happen. It is really nice.
10. Teens are loving.
This is perhaps the most surprising thing about teenagers. They can be very loving at times. Nothing like getting a big bear hug from a teenager, who is grateful for all the things you do for them. It makes having an empty refrigerator and picking up dirty socks all worth it.
I would like to give a big shout out to Close Families blog for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
Close Families a new blogging friend of mine. Here is a little information about the blog.
I am a wife and a mother, determined to bring our family closer together through activities, adventures, and habits that will bond us for a lifetime… and hopefully, I can inspire other families to do the same.
Thank you for the nomination Close Families.
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- What Parents Can Learn from Their Tech-Savvy Teens
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- The Ten Commandments Of Parenting Teenagers
(theraysofsunshine.wordpress.com)

Love this post! Now I got something to show adults when they groan. Still got a year before officially becoming a teen though.
Thanks for the post!
Happy to help out. I would suggest posting this blog on the refrigerator. It will remind your parents what they love about you, in times of stress.
Now that’s a good idea. Will do!
(As soon as I catch a magnet. They seem to have legs!)
I also like teenagers a lot. Especially because I don’t have one.
Teens are love/hate thing. This morning I was feeling all gushy for the teenagers, but now having just spent time driving all over town not so much.
teens are full of LIFE…remember what that feels like? I love driving in the car with a them and they forget that I am there– they are so funny and lively. The innocence before time chips away at them.
Teens are indeed so full of life. My boys do not dwell on things either. Nice change from adults who obsess over every little thing.
that is a boy thing.. girls like their moms fester
Girls fester? Not me of course.;)
I forgot about how much teens can make you laugh.
I loved this post.
Thanks for the shout out.. And fixing me things to look forward too! Loved this! Teens do get a bad rap. And sometime they deserve it… I remember being one!… But they are still nice to have around, I’m sure. I remember being my Mom’s best friend and other times her worst nightmare.
Stock up on wine when the kids turn toward teens, you will need it.
Good thing for me that I definitely enjoy a glass of wine. Or two.
I do enjoy teenagers. Before the baby came along I worked as a substitute teacher and a college-prep mentor in a middle/high school, and I always liked working with the high schoolers the best. They can be so wonderful, and they’re grown-up enough that when they’re being shits you can tell them, without having to dance around it and worry about wrathful parents. As long as you don’t treat them like little kids, they’re capable of being quite grown-up.
I do like that with teens you do not need to mince words. Boys are better than girls at being able to take it though.