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7 Surprising Benefits of Having Teenagers
With each pregnancy, I faced some serious morning sickness. There were times I had to pull over and be sick on the roadside or leave a classroom full of seventh graders while I rushed to the teacher’s lounge. One day, a fellow teacher, who was also a veteran mom, looked at me and said, “You think this is tough? Just wait until your kid is a teenager.” Surprisingly, her so-called encouragement didn’t help my nausea, and it turns out she was quite wrong. Now, I have three teenagers and one pre-teen at home. Sure, there’s often loud music echoing through the halls, not enough seating for family movie nights, and my grocery bill is through the roof. But aside from these little nuisances, having teenagers has been a delightful experience. Here are some unexpected perks I’ve discovered:
- Personal Tech Support: It took me ages to figure out how to use our TV remote, but a quick five-minute tutorial from my daughter cracked the code. Thanks to my kids, I’ve leveled up my emoji game and can now troubleshoot computer issues, navigate my iPad like a pro, and even set the time on my car’s clock. It’s a brave new world out here.
- A Built-in Designated Driver: With my kids old enough to drive, I can enjoy a nice dinner out without worrying about bathroom breaks or drawing on napkins. Plus, I can indulge in that second margarita—score!
- An Extra Set of Hands: Not only can my older kids drive me home from restaurants, but they can also run errands—like taking their little brother to baseball practice or picking up their sister from a sleepover. This frees up my time to whip up the mountains of food needed to satisfy our growing family. Totally worth it!
- Netflix Buddies: With two teenage girls, I always have someone to indulge in Meg Ryan movies with. My husband loves this too! I even get an excuse to dive into John Green novels, telling myself it’s for the sake of meaningful discussions about life’s complexities. Sounds good, right?
- Fashion Police on Duty: Without my own fashion police, I’d probably make some major style blunders. Thankfully, my kids are always there to point out any potential faux pas before I step out the door.
- Houseful of Friends: Sure, there’s a line between parent and friend, but my kids have fantastic senses of humor and are genuinely interesting people. I enjoy spending time with them, as long as they respect the rules and I don’t channel my inner “cool mom” from a certain movie.
I haven’t crossed paths with that teacher from the lounge in forever, but if I do, I’ll happily tell her that my kids don’t make me sick at all—most days, having teenagers is a pretty sweet gig.
For more insights into family life and home insemination, check out this resource for a better understanding of donor insemination or explore this guide for tips on navigating the journey of parenthood. And for those interested in at-home options, Make A Mom has everything you need for your journey.
Summary
Having teenagers brings unexpected advantages, from tech support and designated drivers to Netflix buddies and fashion advice. They might be loud and take over the living room, but the joys they bring make parenting a rewarding experience.