Skipping the elementary school drop off on Monday and heading to middle school should have been my first clue that we really have hit the teenage years. But this week there’s been even more proof.
I’m constantly reminded of the books I read in December about the teenage brain. You can read that story here. I’m also working on a new book from St. Edward’s associate professor Sara Villanueva: “The Angst of Adolescence: How to Parent Your Teen and Live to Laugh About It.” You can read my interview with her in coming weeks.
This is the face I often get from 14-year-old Ben. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman
Here are 10 signs I might be living with teenagers:
- It takes 40 minutes for Ava to do her hair and it still looks like she just got out of bed.
- Their clothes no longer fit in any kid-size dresser and their feet are adult size and funky.
- I have been to the bus garage already this year to retrieve Ben’s phone.
- These people are impossible to wake up in the morning or get to bed at night.
- There’s a lot of door slamming.
- I get answers to all of life’s questions in grunts.
- My house smells like a combination of Taylor Swift perfume, deodorant, funky feet and sweat.
- Their backpacks weigh more than they did when they were born and they are always left in the middle of a walkway.
- I have to look up to my son now and I can no longer physically move him where he needs to go.
- I am reminded every day that I am no longer cool and incredibly stupid.
That face is 11 years in the making. Ava’s hair is 40 minutes of combing and fretting.
Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman
What signs are you seeing?
