Gaslight Theater

Being a parent of teens is a challenge. It is not easy. It is not for the faint of heart. It is not for the hard of hearing. It is not for the half awake.

Why?

Because if you are not at the top of your game for most every encounter with a teenager you will find yourself scratching your head saying "Am I crazy?"

Why?

Because teenagers seem innately talented in directing and staring in "Gaslight Theater." What the heck am I talking about? Know what "Gaslighting" is?

In a nutshell: "False information is presented to the parent by the teen with the intent of making the parent doubt their own memory or perception."  

I don't think that too many parents ever buy tickets to this "production" that their kids continually attempt to stage anyway. Parents know what they said. Parents know what the kids said. Parents know the deal.

Take that show on the road kids!

parenting

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teens

Teen Weather Report

 P R E D I C T A B L E


When a parent says "yes" to a teen, it is sunny skies and 75 degrees out. Beautiful! 

parenting

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teens

When a parent says "no" to their child? Suddenly and without warning it is 10 below zero and a full on rattle-your-windows blizzard! Brutal. 

How does any teen think that they will change their parent's mind by changing the "weather" so dramatically?

And don't forget...

... to slam the door! 

parenting

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teens

Sure, today may be Valentine's Day, but what does that mean to the parent of teens? Well, in this land of madness it means that the teen spends a bunch of time & money preparing to have PDA time with their suitor after school, but treats the parents like crap. Ah, if only the suitor could see what real life is like with this teen --- before, during and after the slamming of the doors!

Give an inch...

As a parent, often times it is not at all surprising to turn around and see that when we give our kids an inch -- they have taken a mile. Even though it may not be surprising, it is always disappointing.

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A Parent's Wish

It I had one wish, it would be that I could enjoy a peaceful Friday night and relax and unwind from the week and not be caught off guard (like so many nights after a long day at work) by a teen being cordial only to find that later in the evening they were hoping to maneuver for some time doing something with their suitor. Keep wishing!

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How do you sleep?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye...
And tell me why?

 (by P!nk)

parenting

divorce

parental_alienation_syndrome

Phony Sh*t my Kid's dad says:

Dad: If you don't get on your return flight home, but live here with me instead, you can go visit your Mom any time you want! I'll even pay for it!

(I'll give you two guesses how that turned out.)

parenting

divorce

parental_alienation_syndrome

Sh*t my kid's dad says

A little illustration about priorities.

children

divorce