Typical Teen Conversation
Recent mother-teen daughter conversation, 10:00pm, typical weeknight:
Teenage Daughter(TD): Mom, I have to stay after school for a club meeting tomorrow. I need to be
picked up at 5:00..
Mom: Why am I only hearing about this now?
TD: Cause I forgot ’til just now. And I need $20.00 for club dues.
Mom(sighs as she reaches for her purse): It’s always something. Here’s 20 bucks. I’ll talk to my boss
in the morning and arrange to leave 30 minutes early to pick you up.
TD: Oh, I need to be at school 30 minutes early in the morning. Have to see my counselor.
Mom(feeling tension creep up the back of her neck): Have you done something?
TD: Yeah sure, Mom! I just need to talk to her about college applications.
Mom(feeling the tension moving up into her skull): Okay, I’ll set the alarm back, so we can be there.
TD: Oh, and I almost forgot- Tomorrow’s the last day to order yearbooks. I’ll need a check for $75.00.
Mom(getting exasperated and feeling headache setting in): What!? Now, this has to have been coming
up for weeks! Why didn’t you tell me about it before now!?
TD: ‘Cause I forgot! The order form’s been in the bottom of my backpack. I just picked up another
one today, ’cause I figured it’d be easier than trying to find the original.
Mom(signing check): You have GOT to get better organized! Okay, okay! Here’s a check. Don’t put it
in your backpack, or you’ll never see it again!
TD: Thanks, Mom. Oh, and just so you know ahead of time, we have a band trip this Saturday. We’ll
be gone overnight. I have to get packed and pay $25.00 for it on Friday. And I’ll need some
spending money, too.
Mom(sarcastically, and with splitting headache now): Thanks for all the notice. Is there anything you
don’t need money for?
TD(sighing): Mom, you’re so overly dramatic! This stuff isn’t expensive! Next week, we have to buy
prom tickets. Now, my dress and getting my hair styled-that’s going to be expensive!
Not to mention a manicure! Oh, and the pictures! And then there’s next fall, when I need a new
clarinet!
Mom(helpless and defeated): I’m going to bed. Wake me when you graduate! Here’s a signed check
made out to you. Just call and find out what my balance is and write it in. Here’s a savings
withdrawal slip that’s already signed, too. Just withdraw everything! Here’s my credit cards.
Don’t spend everything at the mall or you won’t have any money left for lunch! If you need any
more money between now and graduation, you’ll just have to call dad!
TD(giving me a hug): ‘Night, mom, and thanks! You know, that’s one thing I really love about you.
Your terrific sense of humor!
Do any of your conversations with your teens sound like this? Let me know, so we can commiserate!
teens, teenagers, parents, parenting, parenting teenagers, financial issues
January 31st, 2007 at 3:12 pm
No. Haven’t experienced this yet, but then…I only have a second grader. But, now I am sort of scared…..:)
Nice blog. I am blog hopping today and found yours. Nice one…
January 31st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Maria. Yes, teens and high school can get really expensive. Actually, though, we’re usually prepared for it, because the rest of childhood isn’t exactly cheap! Sometimes you just have to put your foot down about how many activities your teen is allowed to participate in.
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:09 am
Yes, we are starting to have conversations like this. I love it when I ask them on Thursday - is there anything in your backpack I need to see or sign and get a blankstare or a no in return. Then Friday morning there is a frantic plea for a signature, money or supplies. So, you are not alone.
February 3rd, 2007 at 8:57 am
Yes, there’s plenty of us out here, Char. I didn’t think I could find anyone who had a worse memory than myself, but my daughter has me outdone. Of course, it’s only the things to do with money and school that she seems to forget. She can always remember when her favorite TV shows are on!