September 22, 2009

The benefits of living with a teenager. Guest blogger Marjie Killeen visits the Hoo-Dee today!

Today we are psyched to have guest blogger Marjie Killeen from the funny and insightful blog fortyfabulous.

Marjie is a mom of two teens and overall cool chick with a lot to say about how to ROCK the middle ages. Today she shares some tips for cohabitating with a teenager. If you have to have one around, you might as well put them to good use, right?
Heeeeeeere’s Marjie!

My son Nick is 16, so I know firsthand that being the parent of a teenager can sometimes be a thankless job. Teens are moody and uncommunicative, dramatic and demanding. They resent all rules and responsibilities, yet expect to be handed the car keys and fed hot meals at a moment’s notice.

It’s just give, give, give without getting anything in return. But lately, I’ve noticed some unexpected benefits from having a teen around.

1. Teens are great sources of high-tech entertainment.
Want to know the latest social networking site, computer game or iphone app? Just ask your teen. Soon you’ll be hitting Facebook to share your latest Anaconda scores and download the cool tunes you discovered on Shazam.

2. Teens read really good books.
Young adult fiction is heavy on plot, so most teen books are action packed. If your book club’s pick is putting you to sleep, steal from your teen’s bookshelf. I just finished A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, but to really get your blood pumping, try Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight.

3. Teens have amusing conversations.
When I’m driving the swimming carpool, I pretend I’m absorbed by the road, but it’s really the boys’ conversation I’m tuned in to. Last week they discussed Nostradamus, World War II, and all things Beyonce. Those 20 minutes in the car were as thought provoking as any cocktail party.

4. Teens are willing designated drivers.
A newly licensed teen is happy to drive you anywhere, especially if it means he gets to stay out a little later. Want to go out for dinner with friends and have a couple of glasses of wine? No need to call a taxi – just ask your teen to shuttle you to and from the restaurant.

5. Teens make talented tutors.
Trying to understand my 12-year old daughter’s Algebra homework makes me break out in hives, but it’s no sweat for Nick to help her out. He’s further down the math learning curve, but close enough to middle school to remember the tricks and techniques.

Wow, I’m getting quite a bit of value out of my teenager. Now, if only I could get him to pick up his shoes.