My youngest two are on half term this week. You’d think that as they are both 17, half terms would be slightly different for me now, in that I wouldn’t have to spend every waking hour thinking of things to occupy them. But it doesn’t work like that! My son went off with his friends the minute school closed last Friday -and finally appeared last night…. so my time has been taken up phoning him, facebooking him – just wanting to know where he was so I could stop worrying!!! He’d pick the phone up once a day and sound utterly amazed that I was worried about where he was and what he was eating… “I’m 17”! he shouted in frustration on one call. “I always let you know I’m ok”! Yes he does!!! but a lot can happen over each set of 24 hours – and letting me know he’s ok, doesn’t mean he’s actually ok according to a mother’s definition of ok!!!!
Meanwhile, his twin sister has been staying at home. Every now and then large disappointed eyes turn towards me… she wants me to go clothes shopping with her. Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t want me to buy the clothes – she’s saved up her birthday money to do that – she wants my company. Ah – that;s so nice, I am yet again fooled into thinking – and off we set…. The minute we are in public, I am aware what a HUGE embarrassment I am to her!!! I can’t say “watch out for that car” – because I’m “so embarrassing – don’t shout and let the whole world think I’m a child and stupid”. I can’t pick up something for myself and hold it up and say “how about this, does the colour suit me”? without a face going crimson red and eyes shuffling round to make sure no one she knows is watching this hideous display of mother actually thinking she’s got the figure or youth for something NEW!!!!! I even had the temerity to …. OVERTAKE someone on the pavement!!!!! And the sighing and the eyes raised to heaven and the words “Why are you always soooooooo rude to people”!!!! I turn round and say “rude”? what was rude about overtaking them? I didn’t push them, I didn’t swear at them? No, I just overtook them.
Are all mothers with me when I say I yearn to be a grandmother – not to cuddle babies again – but to know and to savour the delicious thought – Revenge is so sweet!!!!!!
The photos, by the way, are NOT my two!! No, it’s far too a) embarrassing to have your own mother take your photo and b) “don’t you know we’re far too busy”???
This is another wonderful family, whose teens gritted their teeth in between shots and smiled sweetly when asked 🙂
As always, as part of our Sisterhood Stories circle, please now link to the next in the circle, the lovely and very talented, Isabelle!
I love this post Boo! I have boys aged 18 and 17 but they let me harass them – lots. My 18 year old asked if some friends could come over yesterday to study – sure I said as I sauntered out of the house – as long as you do the dishes and sweep the floor before they come. Ok he said. I arrived home 2 hrs later to find said friends doing the dishes and son gone to the supermarket to buy a cake. He got them to do my housework. Bonus!
Boo,
I remember thinking I was too cool for my mom. 😉 It's so sad to have to go through this phase of life. They eventually turn around and realize how lucky they are to have such an awesome mother! Thank you for sharing your story. Your photos are stunning too!
Abby
Love this post and had to laugh at your stories 🙂 overtaking on the footpath – well I never 😉
ah Boo, I think we all go through this phase, I know I did! Parents can be so embarrassing when you are in your teens and my Father loved to try and embarass me :-)but the good thing is that by the time I got to 30 I was immune to embarrassment, so there is definitely a positive. I think about how my poor Mother must felt when I was that age but now we are great friends and I'm sure I embarass her much more than she could ever embarass me now 😉 and beautiful photos!
Hi Boo, how I can relate! I have spent today shopping with/for my 18 year old who has managed to control the sarcastic criticisms and frustrations with her mother but then she has been away at uni for a month now and I've spent the afternoon stocking her cupboards up!
Love the pics by the way!! X
Well, this post is so in tune with the way my son left home today… I think they don't mean to be so ungrateful, hopefully they'll see how amazing we are before too long! lol
Teenage years are hard at the best of times (and that's just for the parents :-)). My Dad used to pick me up from the local disco in a big white van. My face used to glow in the dark when I'd see him coming. I dare not complain, sure who else would pick me up. They'll get over it and will completely understand when they have kids of their own.