Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartGrrr, argggg!
I’m ashamed to say that frustration is too often a companion of mine. Grrr, arggg, is actually one of my favorite things to say…well, besides, pass the Oreos please.
So far this month we’ve discussed the indoor appearance of unwanted forest friends, cell phone etiquette, and other blood pressure spiking subjects. I loved the posts, but the comments have been great as well. And some of them were down right hilarious. It’s comforting, in a way, to find out that I’m not the only one who has numerous grrr, arggg moments throughout the day.
I have two teenagers. A sixteen year old son and a thirteen year old daughter. The makings for frustration at its best.
Even though my children happen to be good kids, they are still teenagers and, well, nobody’s perfect.
So here is my Teenagers home for the summer grr, arggg list.
1. Why do teenagers think, “Clean the clothes off your bedroom floor,” really means, “Stuff the clothes, dirty or clean, under your bed?”
2. Why do teenagers think it’s okay to bring their friends into the house without warning mom that she might want to put a bra on, change out of her pj’s and possibly do something with the rat’s nest she calls hair?
3.Why do teenagers need to get a clean glass from the cabinet when there’s already fifteen dirty ones stacked on the desk in their bedroom?
4.Why do teenagers suddenly realize they need something from you the minute you sit down and put your feet up?
5.Why do teenagers leave empty milk cartons in the fridge?
6.Why do teenagers leave empty Oreo containers in the pantry?
7.Why do teenagers think the words, “I’m writing now,” really means, “Please keep knocking on my office door and asking me to make you a sandwich, where the tape is, what’s for dinner, can you take me to Allie’s house, can you braid my hair, did you buy deodorant….
8.Why do teenagers think that, “Can you mow the lawn, please?” actually means, “Please make sure to miss large patches of grass here and there because I like for the lawn to look like it was cut by Mr. Magoo.”
9.Why can’t teenagers brush their teeth without getting fifteen gallons of water and toothpaste foam on the mirror?
10.Why do teenagers have to text me a question instead of just walking downstairs and asking me in person?
So there is my list. I love my kids, but grr, arggg they get on my nerves sometimes.
Any crazy teen or kid pet peeves that grr, argg you? Let me know. I’d love to hear them.
Have a great day all,
Tamara
Tags: Oreos, pet peeves, Tamara deStefano, teenagers
About the author
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Tamara DeStefano | I'm a writer, reader, movie junkie and Oreo eater. All though I should invert the order of this list. Oreo double stuff cookies and milk...THE BOMB BABY!
My favorite genre is paranormal, love those vamps. I write paranormal, historical and contemporary. I've even tried my hand at YA. Writing makes me happy.
Hope what you do makes you happy too!!
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July 19th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Oh, dear. How long do you have? I have a 4-year old and a 2-year old (whom we’re potty training right now). Most of my grr, arggs come from that at the moment. Like why he’d rather pee on my carpet than on the toilet. Or flush 12 times when he didn’t do anything. Oh, and good to know the toothpaste thing won’t go away. *Going to buy stock in whoever makes Aquafresh*
x♥x
Noelle
July 19th, 2010 at 1:19 am
No kid or crazy kid pet peeves. Most of my grrr, arghhhh’s are in regards to my 4-legged ‘kids’ these days. I have a one-yr-old dog who is a power chewer and cannot differentiate between people stuff vs. dog stuff. Grr-arghhh!
July 19th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Having had 3 teens our our own plus three teenage…female…foster kids, my list is long and colorful.
With mine it was:
Why can’t they hit the hamper w/ the dirty clothes?
Why can’t they remember to do all three things I sent the 16 yr old new driver to the store for? Why does she have to go a second time? (Yeah, yeah, I really know the answer to that one…but it happened)
Thanks for a very distant (my “baby” turned 40 this year) fond walk down memory lane.
Sandy
July 19th, 2010 at 8:18 am
I have to say that your house sure resembles mine! I cracked up over texting in the house. In my previous house, we had an intercom because the layout was such that no one could hear you from end to end. Not so now! I hate it when I’m writing in the morning and baby girl starts texting me from bed. AAARGH!
July 19th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I could think of a lot of things, but now that my former teenagers are in their 20s and one is living in New York and the other in an apartment in Atlanta but not living in the house, I would trade anything to have some of those grr arggh moments again.
I think it’s like childbirth. You forget all the bad things and remember the good.
The daughter who lives in Atlanta came by and spent a lot of time with us this weekend and offered to help me clean out my laundry room, which was the source of most of my grr arrggh moments.
That went above and beyond the call of duty. And we found some priceless photos of when the kids were young, and some items that brought back some neat memories.
Now that the room is pretty much clean (still have a way to go)I can update it with some new paint, tile, etc.
(Now all I need is some help cleaning my office and closet). Can’t blame anyone else for that.
I loved your post, it brought back memories, and of course I have some stories to tell, but all I have to say is, it gets better as they get older, but then you should treasure and hang on to them as long as you can before they leave the nest.
Marilyn
July 19th, 2010 at 8:56 am
My children are all in their twenties now but I still have the grrr moments. The three boys are still at home. That creats a number of moments. But the most interesting one is the youngest who says he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me but calls me all the time. The thing is he doesn’t want me to know where he is but he does want to keep up with me.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Noelle,
Wow, a 4 and 2 year old. Whew, I don’t envy you right now. Especially with the potty training. I remember those days…fun!
I loved the toilet flushing thing. So funny!
Thanks so much for the comment.
Have a fabulous day!
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Carol,
I have the four legged grrrr’s too.
4 cats. 2 of them are ours, 2 the other two kind of adopted us. But I love the half eaten chipmunks, squirrels, and birds they leave as gifts for me on the back porch.
Grrrr’s, arggg at it’s finest!
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great day,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Sandy,
I had no idea you fostered kids. I’m impressed. Taking in children takes a very special kind of person. Those girls are lucky to have you.
Yes, the hamper thing happens here too. At least yours are trying for the hamper. Mine just use the floor.
Thanks for the comment!
Have a great day,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Debbie,
I’m glad my post gave you a little chuckle. And I’m also thrilled to know I’m not the only one who gets texts from people in the house.
Grrrrrrr, arggggg!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a fabulous day!
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Marilyn,
I complain about my kids, but like you, I’ll miss them desperately when they’re gone.
My daughter is the toughest to deal with now. She’s very dramatic and has a fiery personality like me, so our personalities some times crash together like big horned sheep, but she’s the one who hugs and kisses me every night. She’s the one who says,” I luv you mums,” all the time, and she’s the one who says she doesn’t want to leave home for college.
Yep, I know what you mean. I need to cherish even the grrrr’s, arggg moments.
Thanks so much for commenting.
Have a lovely day,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Susan,
I can relate. Like I told Marilyn, my daughter and I sometimes clash like the titans. But she’s my favorite little girl in the entire world.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Have a fantastic week,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Love this post! Fabulous
And I have a teen as well–my grrr arr is why does she have to use MY bathroom when she has her own wing with two different sinks?
July 19th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Hysterical, hysterical post, Tamara. I don’t have kids and yet I can relate (actually, we took care of my nephew when he was eleven).
I can really relate to number 7. Writing behind a closed door must send out “bother me now” signals to all family members, LOL.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Tamara,
I had to laugh. I just married off my oldest son yesterday and it seems like just yesterday he was coming into the house asking if I could make him dinner. Wait. He did come into the house asking me to make him dinner!
It doesn’t end. But at least the dirty clothes will hopefully stay at their house when they grow up and away. One advantage I had is that I traveled in my job when they were 8, 12, 16 until 13, 17, 21. So they pretty much had to learn to fix their meals, get up on their own, and drive themselves to school/work. It’s paid off now when they walk in the door and want to eat NOW. I show them the pantry and refrigerator/freezer and say, “You’re welcome to anything I have!”
My daughter and I clashed from her 13th birthday until she graduated from high school. We’re pretty good friends now (well, at least she hasn’t blocked me on Facebook!) but we still have our moments when I’m “too bossy”. And the kids hate it when I don’t answer my cell phone because they need to talk with me RIGHT AWAY.
Oh, well. I’m just making up for the days when I was frantic about where they were and they didn’t call ME.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I’ll pray you have the patience to make it through the next 5 years!
Anna
July 19th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I have 2 teen sons, 18 & 15, so I can relate to your GrrrArrrgh’s completely Tamara!
Since me & my cat Duchess are the only girls in the house, the television set is regularly hijacked for testosterone shows: Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, ManvsWild, etc. Now, I do like to watch these shows, once. But when we watch them for the fifteenth time, I’m over it. I can practically recite some of the Office episodes (yes, I love it too, but not over & over!)
My JerseyCouture takes over on Tuesdays, but otherwise, this maid/cook/laudress/chauffeur/nurse/atm just goes to her room.
Yes, I’m writing & reading & doing my nails, but still….
GrrrArrrgh!
But I do understand this may be the last year with 18, since this is his senior year. So I’m making up my mind to live in the moment & enjoy this last year at home with him.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Pamela,
I’m with you on the Office episodes. My middle son loves it and is always asking me to come over to watch an episode. One day we watched an entire year’s worth. And they are so funny. Wonder what’ going to happen now with Steve Correll leaving. He’s the funniest!
Anna
July 19th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
People in the cube next to mine are wondering why I’m giggling as I read your post and the comments. This is great, Tamara! I, too, can relate. Mine isn’t as old as yours but I can totally see some of his habits evolving into some that you have described. My biggest grrrr, argggg moments are 1) when he continually leaves his jammies on his bedroom floor day after day and then when I ask him to bring me his laundry basket and I ask why he didn’t bring me his jammies, he tells me I only asked for the basket….grrr…arggg…. and 2) when either my husband or I ask him to go tell the other one we need something or dinner is ready, he stays right where he is and yells at the top of his lungs – we very easily could have done this ourselves.
At times it’s cute and funny. Other times, I want to hang him up by his toenails…
Thanks for a great chuckle today!
Tami
July 19th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Okay, you really cracked me up with the Mr. Magoo lawn. As for the sandwiches, you need to try my mom’s approach, “Make you a sandwich? I’m busy so why don’t you make your own sandwich and make me one, too.”
As you well know, I have the 8-year-old and the 4-year-old. Most of my grr-argh moments center around potty accidents, turned over dresser drawers, broken eye glasses, and hitting and scratching incidents. Oh, and mine have that whole wanting something just as you sit down thing pat as well.
It was a pleasure to hear you vent, and, no, I don’t understand why the guys love The Office so darn much.
July 19th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Christine,
I have that problem too! My daughter also uses my flat iron when she has her own!
What’s up with that?
Great to hear from you.
Have a wonderful afternoon,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Linsey,
You’re right, closing the door to write does send out the bother me RIGHT now signal!
GRRRR.
Thanks for the comment,
Have a nice evening,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Anna,
Great! So I have to wait until my daughter gets out of high school to get the sweet little cherub she used to be back? She’s 13 and she pushes my buttons! But…I seriously adore this child. She’s hilariously funny, very sweet when she’s not biting my head off and very affectionate too. So I’ll deal with the grrr arggs until college if I have to.
And ranks for the prayers for patience. I’ll need them.
Thankscfor the comments.
Have a fabulous evening,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Pamela,
I can totally relate with the TV. In fact, as we speak, the TV has been hijacked by my 13yr old daughter, Blake. Were watching The Office…season three, for the 400th time. I have to admit though, Im a Jim Halpert fan, so watching his lopsided grin 400 tomes isn’t too bad.
And kitties, luv em. I have 4, two that we own and two that adopted us. But this is another grrrr instance. I can’t let the cats in the house anymore because my family is terribly allergic. I’m the only one who doesn’t sneeze like a crazy person around them, so unfortunately, I have to enjoy my babies outdoors.
But, my human family is more important to me, so I guess the grrr arggg moment concerning the cats isn’t so bad after all.
I guess we have to pick our battles.
Thanks so much for your comment, and have a great evening!
T
July 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Hilarious Tami!
I totally get the yelling thing. That happens even with teenagers. And I giggled myself at the jambes thing. How cute is that!
Thanks so much for your comment!!
Have a great evening,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Uh oh Sally.
I’m a huge office fan. I just told Pamela that me and Blake, my 13yr old daughter are watching the DVD. We’re head over heels for Halpert.
Anyhoo, I’m past the potty problems, and no one wears glasses(however, I probably should) but we’ve got loads of grr arggg’s regardless.
But like most of my commentors mentioned, I love many family to pieces and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks so much for your comment.
Have a lovely evening,
T
July 19th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I meant, I love MY family to pieces.
Typing tooooo fast!!
T
July 19th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Tamara,
Loved the post! Kids? I have a hubby that does most of the above – except pee on the floor!
No kids, but I am totally impressed by all of you and your parenting powers. Don’t know if I would have made it if we’d had kids!
July 20th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hi Tamara, great post.
I can totally sympathize on those grr arg moments. My daughter was famous for taking stuff out of my bathroom so when I reached for it – like shampoo in the shower- it wasn’t there and I had to holler for her to bring it back. Very frustrating. Both my kids are in their early twenties, going to college and still living at home. I’m trying to enjoy the time I have left with them because I know the days are numbered before they move out and on their own.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Hi Tamara –
As many of you know, I”m an aunt, a godmother and I just found out I’m soon to be a great aunt (although I like to always think I’m a great aunt…). I don’t have kids so I get to enjoy all the stories of those who do, like yours Tamara.
My brother and his wife told both their daughters they had to make the bed and keep their room clean. When my youngest niece was a little thing she’d stuff all her clothes under the bed, too. When it came to making the bed, my brother and SIL became suspicious when their messy pack rat daughter when she had a perfectly made bed the morning after the sheets had been washed. They discovered she’d slept in the closet since her mother had made the bed and if she didn’t sleep in it she wouldn’t have to remake it.
I found that funny and inventive since I would have considered that as a simple option as a kid if I’d had a closet. I’m all about low maintenance living, but my brother did not appreciate the humor in her solution to housekeeping. He had the argh reaction then made sure she slept in the bed after that.