Let’s face it: everyone is grappling with their own challenges during this quarantine. I have three kids, all born within a few years of each other, and if this were happening when they were toddlers, I’d probably be a complete wreck. But here I am, managing three teenagers aged 13, 14, and 16, and let me tell you, it’s a whirlwind.
Now, I’m not claiming to have it tougher than anyone else, but I can assure you that this experience is no walk in the park. Having a trio of clever teens around 24/7 with no escape route? Not exactly the happiest of adventures. Sure, they’re capable of taking care of themselves, cleaning up, and even whipping up a meal, but that doesn’t mean they actually do it. I’ve stood in front of them, tears rolling down my bare face, pleading for answers: Why are there crumbs everywhere? Why are dirty clothes piling up in the bathroom? Why do they devour all the snacks in one sitting and then whine about being hungry? Why do they think this is a vacation while I’m up at dawn, heart racing from the endless to-do list? And really, why do they tell me I look ill just because I skipped my mascara?
On the first day of virtual learning, I made it clear: this isn’t a vacation. I set expectations for assignments and reminded them I could monitor their progress through the parent portal. They better stay on top of things, or else.
My eldest shrugged, “Or else what? We’re stuck at home! My teachers said to enjoy my time off!” He plopped down on the couch, phone in hand, surrounded by a mountain of microwave mozzarella sticks.
No matter how hard we try, parents of teens can’t escape their sarcasm, and frankly, we lost our patience a long time ago.
Then the power went out during a storm, leaving us in the dark and cold. With social distancing in place, there was nowhere to go. After almost a day without power, reality hit me—those hundreds of dollars spent on groceries for my ravenous teens were now spoiled. And yes, I had waited in a long line to buy those groceries, but whatever.
If you’re seeking sympathy for your mom-mistakes, don’t turn to your teenagers. When I broke the news, they questioned how I could forget, especially since they were at their dad’s house with power. They told me how sad it was that I couldn’t manage to save the food.
I could have explained that I was overwhelmed with the anxiety and stress this pandemic has caused, but it was pointless. I could have highlighted that all my energy was spent trying to keep them at home, amidst arguments about why they couldn’t hang out with friends—“But everyone else is doing it!”
I love my children deeply, but they simply don’t grasp the bigger picture right now. They treat this time like a free-for-all, snuggling up in their beds with snacks, which doesn’t help at all.
Speaking of snacks, the other day, I found a trail of orange crumbs leading to my son’s room. I opened the door to a disaster zone of a teenage lair. It’s the only place my kids can escape from me, and they keep their doors shut for a reason.
I was on the verge of a meltdown, angrily grabbing trash to throw away when I stumbled upon a water bottle in his dresser drawer. My first thought was about mold—just what I needed. But to my surprise, it was as clean as could be. In fact, it was the perfect hiding spot for three joints he had stashed away.
If my kids thought they’d seen the worst of me during this quarantine, they were sorely mistaken. I stormed over to him, informing him about the joints I’d discovered and proceeded to flush them down the toilet.
That’ll teach him!
He coolly handed me his phone and said, “Here, take my phone,” before walking off. He seemed unfazed—clearly, he was high and didn’t care about losing his phone. In hindsight, I felt foolish for flushing those joints. Maybe I needed them more than anyone in the house. If I could rewind time, I’d have lit one up right in front of him to show him what he was missing. That would have made my point much more effectively than taking his phone away.
But alas, I had to play the “responsible parent” role, which is never easy—something every day of this quarantine with my teens has confirmed.
If you know someone dealing with teenagers during this quarantine, check in on them. Trust me, they could use the support.
For more insights on navigating parenting during this time, check out this post on fertility rates at Home Insemination Kit. And if you’re looking for expert advice on insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource. For more information on donor insemination, visit American Pregnancy.
In summary, parenting teens during a pandemic is a challenging, chaotic experience filled with emotional highs and lows. While they may seem oblivious to the weight of the situation, it’s essential to maintain open communication and seek support from others in similar situations.
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