Quote From: chirsgirlI think those teenage daughters are being selfish. They aren't toddlers that need to be fed, changed or watched constantly. Mom deserves some down time as soon as she comes in the door. And I believe her when she says the girls usually don't want to talk to her anyway - that she asks too many questions. Come on, we all know teenagers are like that. They don't want to sit down and have a heart to heart with their mom every day. Mom goes to work to provide those nice clothes, great hair cutts and shiny lip gloss those girls have. She cooks, cleans and pays their bills. Give her an hour every day to unwind and watch Dr. Phil. Those girls are just selfish and self centered. They don't want mom's attention, but they want her to be at their beck and call whenever they decide they want her. Get real!
I agree with having time to myself, but right after work is prime family time. Right then, everyone is hungry and wants to reconnect in my house. I'd rather make Phil wait than make my family wait.
I agree that teenagers can be withdrawn and hard to crack, but unfortunately that is exactly the time when a parent needs to talk with them. I find with my daughter, if we are working together-making supper for example-she will carry on a lively conversation.
There is a inclination to interrogate children at this age (because we are afraid for them) but they get private and clam up. I try and ask questions like
-what would you do if you won the lotto?
-If you could have one person from all of history as a dinner guest, who would it be?
-what is your favorite character from a book?
-who is your hero?
-what made you laugh today?
We also talk about stuff from the newspaper or other issues in which she is interested.
