Older teenagers are great
@magicalmerlin (1623)
June 3, 2007 4:46pm CST
It can be frustrating for them on the cusp of adulthood when they want to do things and are still not considered old enough by society but when they can help us they are great. My husband and I can go out again without having to worry about babysitters! Our son is old enough to drive and has passed his test so he did the taxi service for us and our friends so we were all able to drink and join in with the evenings events.
They had to make their own tea and rather than just having snacks our son cooked spaghetti bolognese for them both! Life is grand.
4 responses
@hookfan (447)
•
4 Jun 07
Excellent. I think the responsibility fosters independence as well so when they are out on their own, they can manage! I was always the babysitter, the cook, the playmate to my younger sibs and I think the only thing I really missed was being able to just have some fun once in a while.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
Awww magicalmerlin. You got yourself a great son there. My girls are still grade schoolers and my time is still not mine to luxuriate yet. I don't mind it at all as I'm not yet ready for those wrinkles yet, LOL. We all deserve to have some relaxing moment especially when our little ones are old enough to handle themselves. I can begin to picture out my girls doing the same thing like your son. Life is indeed grand and I'm happy for you and your family.
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
5 Jun 07
All I need now is to get my internet programs earning money so that I can give up my job and spend more time on MyLot. Never satisfied ....
@beaniegdi (1964)
•
3 Jun 07
I am glad you are enjoying having older children. My sons are 22 and 19, 20 next month, and it is true you can suddenly go anywhere you want to again. The only thing is by the time this has happened you are completely out of the habit of going anywhere that doesn't involve the children in some way, either because they are going with you or because they need to be looked after. My eldest lives with his girlfriend and my youngest has his own car, I don't drive so he takes me shopping which is great.
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
5 Jun 07
They were upset when they found out that they could not come with us! I thought most teenagers would not want to be seen in public with their parents.
@tina12679 (1126)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Sounds wonderful. I cant wait. I have a few more years my oldest is only 6 and youngest is not even 2 yet but i await the day when there is a bit of freedom from them, i love them, but children take up all the time you have and you have no little time to begin with lol. But just today i was at my sister in laws house and i saw her and her daughter sitting on the couch together, making jokes, using each other as a foot rest lol. and i was thinking i cant wait till my girls get older for us to hang out like that. I mean i know it isnt always like that, there is fighting and disagreements. But there are those moments that are great right? I happy for you and your hubby sounds like you have a good kid.
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
3 Jun 07
The basics you give them now will pay dividends later. Keep smiling and praising them. Try and arrange to have some time to yourself. Have others in for tea or sleepovers so that they will reciprocate. We were lucky to have a baby-sitting circle using vouchers. The best book I found said that housework can wait so I always tried to 'be there' for them. Good luck.
