I think we all just cook too well

[Halex]

Johnro, you certainly deserve a medal. Teenagers on mass, GROSS, in fact kids on mass GROSS, LOL

H

[dede]

TEENAGES

A mammal found extensively throughout the planet, often clustered in groups in front of television sets (See SLOTHS). Thought to be a member of Homo Sapiens due to physical similarities, though social and emotional behavior leads many researchers to consider Teenagers to be a completely different species altogether (See PARENTS). Very territorial. (See ITS MY ROOM STAY OUT OF MY ROOM.)

Teenagers are extraordinarily social animals, seeking contact with their peer groups to such a great extent they will forgo family, chores, food, and responsibility. The males of the species forage for food constantly (See MCDONALD'S) and can consume three times their weight every day. When in full plumage, the males are usually drab, marked by loose fitting garments which slide off their backsides and look ridiculous.

The females, on the other hand, sport striking colors under their eyes, throughout their hair, and on the tips of their fingers. Females often attract males by wearing garments to accentuate chest development (See WONDER BRAS). Males indicate their approval by staring at the display (See FATHERS, HEART ATTACKS OF). The call of the female is complex and shrill: "Like, O m'Gosh! O m' Gosh!" Males are less vocal, signaling to other males with a salutatory "Yo. Yo. Yo. S'up? S'up? S'up?"

Teenagers line their nests with discarded undergarments. The females hold telephone receivers to their ears an average of six hours a day. When challenged for possession, they snarl and warn intruders "I'm doing my HOMEWORK. My HOMEWORK. My HOMEWORK." The males lie immobile for hours at a time, conserving energy and listening to violent electronic signals from radios.

Male Teenagers concentrate on important information (See FATHERS, LECTURES OF) by rolling their eyes, shrugging, kicking dirt and sighing. Females burst into tears and slam doors. Many Homo Sapiens families have a host-to-parasite relationship with one (See STRESS) or more than one (See EXTREME STRESS) Teenager. These host families often develop a resistance to the parasite, rejecting them some time in the eighteenth year of life. Often, though, this rejection is merely theoretical, with the Teenager continuing to live off of the host Homo Sapiens family for many years afterward, often at great sacrifice (See COLLEGE).

2) Of, relating to, and especially EXPLAINING irrational, intolerable, or inexplicable behavior. ("She's a Teenager.")

3) A request for sympathy, offered by adult parents to each other in support. ("I have a Teenager at home.") Often accompanied by sighs, head shaking, tongue clucking, and shoulder shrugging.

[judydawn]

Well, I don't remember mine being that  bad when they were at home but teenagers are probably a whole new ball game these days - it sounds like a Richard Attenborough documentary Mandi

[obbie]

Dede, perfect example.

Robyn

[dede]

Yes this is what teenagers are like these days Judy, society has changed so much, with so much technology around (I'm not sure it's a good thing)
  my kids (3 of them) love their mobile phones, we have 5 computers in the house and everyone is on the net, we have 4 TV's, and 5 mobile phones. Even when I was a kid we only had 1 TV and that's it.
  My DS 16 and DD 12 are very social butterfly's , they are always with their friends, when they are not with them they are texting, Facebook messaging or ringing them.

[fundj&e]

If texting, Facebooking,  or ringing is all they are doing dede u have done well, if you get what i mean
Is Facebooking a word? 

[dede]

Facebooking is definitely a word fundj

I think my kids know what's right and wrong, and I hope they will try to do the right thing most of the time. I guess as parents we can try to teach them what we expect of them and hope they listen when the time comes. With so many influences out there it's a scary world where we can't be with our children 24/7.

[faffa_70]

OMG what a read   and Gert as descriptive as ever  

I guess I am very blessed with my family and now I appreciate them a little more too.

DH always compliments me for the meal and my cooking, when the younger 2 are fussing he always reminds them that Mum has made this meal with love for all of us and the three teen+ boys always at the very least thank me for every meal when they leave the table (they are allowed to leave as the younger two can have us at the table for an hour or so sometimes   )

I only have to take a train ride in our lovely city and find myself repeating this mantra - "be thankful for what you do have at home Kathryn and remember what it COULD be like!!"

We refuse to tolerate the grunts and snorts and the idunno said more as a mummer - each time it was that isn't a word and forced conversation lol. In saying that I have decided that if I can't beat them I will join them   My kids have all added me to their Facebook and if I really want them for something and they are hiding in their teen caves (aka bedrooms) I just text them ... they can;t ignore their phones lol. I have a rule when they are out that if I haven't seen/heard from them in 24hours I send an "are you alive" text and I EXPECT a reply pronto.

as for the help with deciding what to eat ... NOW THAT IS MY COMPALINT!!!!! Yes I get the same answer, we love what you cook, we are happy to eat what you make, you do such a good job etc etc ... like you all, just once or twice please take the pressure off and help me decide ... my poor brain is tired  

Mine aren't looking to move out any time soon (not that they have told me anyway lol) and we are the same as you Dede, 7 people in a 4 bedroom house (we have converted our lounge into 2 bedrooms for the 2 youngest) so space is limited but by the same token I am dreading them moving out   DS1 is away in Onslo working for about a month, has only been gone for a few days and I miss him already