Parenting

5 Annoying Things Your Teen Does That You Can Turn A Blind Eye To

Your teen (though you love them) sure can test your sanity. Come on, admit it! Your teenager makes you scratch your head at least once a day. Don’t feel bad, all parents get to experience this particular wonder in their lifetime. I have two teenagers myself with two other children well on the way to their teen years. I know about this struggle intimately and I sympathize. Special needs teenagers have additional struggles that can be even harder on parents. My oldest son was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder when we adopted him at age 6. Though he has grown out of some of the more stressful tendencies of his disorder, his teen years have presented his mother and myself with some very odd behavior. But just because a teenager does something annoying doesn’t mean it is a big deal. In fact, it may not even be worth addressing or commenting on. Here are five annoying things that all teens do from time to time that you can just go ahead and turn a blind eye to.

Annoying Thing #1 - Communicating In Grunts

Ah, the classic form of teen communication: the grunt. What does it mean? Is it a yes? A no? Something in the middle? You ask if they want something to eat and they let out a puff of air as though that were an answer. You ask if they're doing alright and they give you a "Pfffft.." It’s alright, they aren’t turning into cave people and it isn't a tell-tale-sign of a bigger, darker problem. You can find ways to get through when it counts, otherwise just wait for their mood to change and their vocabulary to return.

Annoying Thing #2 - They are Plain Rude

One of the most infuriating things you child can do is be rude to you or any one else. Teenagers seem to be eerily good at this. No matter their frame of mind or physical disability, from time to time they will be irritated with you and they'll show it in a not-so-nice way. And they seem to have no concern at all for your thoughts, feelings or needs it can be rage inducing. But it is just a part of their development and comes more from a lack of awareness than actual maliciousness. Don't feel the need to squash every misstep and instead, give them the space they need to calm down and think things through.

Annoying Thing #3 - They Become Dare Devils

This isn’t one you should completely ignore, obviously. Risky behavior should be curbed, but trying to stop it entirely is a losing battle. Teen brains are at a stage where they are more likely to take risks and make bad decisions. The upside to that is they learn significant lessons from those decisions. Keep an eye on them and intervene when you have to. Otherwise, let them take a chance now and then.

Annoying Thing #4 - They Smell

Have you ever walked into a teen boy’s room? Oh man, it is like a stink bomb mated with another stink bomb, had a stinky baby and then that baby threw up a mega stink bomb. Girl’s rooms aren’t much better. Hormones and body odor are par for the course. Invest in air freshener, go through a few extra hygiene lessons, and make sure they are showering. It will pass on its own.

Annoying Thing #5 - Everything Is a HUGE Deal

Their little brother went into their room without knocking and it is World War III. A planned event gets canceled and the entirety of existence is literally on the brink of collapse. You've been through this scenario before, especially if your teen lives with autism. So take a deep breath and remember, you've made it through every other earth shattering disappointment so far and you'll make it through this one too. You don't have to stress about the effects of trauma or the development of coping addictions - yet! You've got this!