This post: Why you should never mess with a mom of teens.
Looking back on my early days as a new mom, all I can say is wow… I was such a newbie.
I was a beginner, a novice, a fledgling, an awkward amateur, a work in progress, a rookie in the field…
But, man, did I try hard.
More than anything in the world, I wanted to be a “good mom.”
“Oh, look at her… she’s SUCH a good mom, isn’t she?”
“Look at the way her kids adore her and how she’s so patient and nurturing… she’s SUCH a good mom!”
Fast forward a few years and let me tell you, I couldn’t give a crap whether I’m labeled as a “good mom” or not.
In the years raising my kids, I’ve learned a thing or two. And now that they’re teenagers and the stakes are much higher than they were when they were toddlers, I’m more willing than ever to sacrifice the “good mom” label if I must to do what’s right for my kids – regardless of what anyone thinks.
I’m raising human beings to be respectable, honorable, moral, decent, hard-working people who will, one day, become contributing members of society. And, that takes work, determination, more than a few unpopular decisions and a heck of a tough shell.
The fact is, every mom of teens I know is pretty much a badass you don’t want to reckon with.
They’re muddling through the trenches with their teens, desperately trying to keep them on track and they’re fierce in their resolve. Everyone one of them is driven like a racehorse with blinders on. They’re on a silent, indomitable, slightly obsessed mission to raise good kids, which is exactly why you should never, ever mess with a mom of teens.
Here are 8 reasons why you should NEVER mess with a mom of teens:
#1 They’ve Lost Their Filter
They’ve heard and seen it all. Their teens have pushed them to the brink of insanity and they no longer have the strength or fortitude to be nice. So, when her kids get sassy or the grocery store cashier cops an attitude and tosses out a snide remark… lookout. A mom of teens won’t hold back.
#2 They Do Better Detective Work Than the FBI
Don’t even think about lying to a mom of teens. They have better super sleuth detective skills than the FBI, NSA, and CIA combined. Nothing gets past them for long. Sure, her teen may think they’re pulling the wool over her eyes, but she’s a master at picking up on subtle “tell-all” cues, non-verbal gestures and facial expressions. And, they’re better at tracking their kids than hunters tracking animals in the woods. The truth is, moms of teens know what their kids are going to do before they even do it.
#3 They Can Take a Beating
Moms of teenagers aren’t scared of anything. They’ve been beaten up by life a few times, beaten up by their kids (figuratively speaking, that is) and a tossing a few sticks and stones their way won’t even phase them. They have their armor on, and because they’re raising teens, they’re ready for battle any time, any day, anywhere. They may look sweet, but be forewarned, moms of teens don’t step down from a fight.
#4 They’ll Protect Their Kids – Even if It Means a Short Jail Sentence
There’s nothing worse than the wrath of a ticked off mom who’s protecting her teens. She has seen her kids endure enough emotional pain through the years and she’s lost her tolerance for it. Just a heads up bullies, if you mess with a teen, be prepared to deal with his mama. She views jail time as a mini-vacation.
#5 They Can Level You with Their Eyes
With years of training under their belt, moms of teens have “spoken” to their kids with their eyes for years. Those “I’m gonna kill you when we get home” glares are hard to turn off, so anyone (seriously, anyone) who raises the blood pressure of a mom of teens is at risk of getting the “leveling glare.”
#6 They’re Not Afraid to Embarrass You
Moms of teens are fearless and they really don’t care what people think. They’re not afraid to use their power to keep their kids in check when necessary. (Truth be known, they kind of enjoy it.) In fact, embarrassment is one of their all-time favorite secret weapons. If you mess with your mama she might wear pajamas to pick you up from school, try to hold your hand in public or yell “I love you” at the top of her lungs in front of all your friends.
#7 No One Can Make Them Feel Guilty
They’ve sacrificed their bodies, their social life, their mental well-being and hundreds of hours of sleep to give their kids a solid head start in life. At this point, nothing their kids say (or anyone else for that matter) holds the power to stir up guilt.
#8 They’re Not Afraid to Walk Away
They’ve dealt with more drama than a late-night reality show and they’re tired. They don’t have the energy to deal with anyone who wears them out emotionally, mentally or psychologically. Whether it’s their kids driving them nuts, a friend who has an uncanny ability to stir up trouble or a gossipy family member who has voiced their opinion one too many times, moms of teens aren’t afraid to throw their hands up and say “enough” and walk away. (Typically, they only come back for their kids, but only after they’ve had a tall glass of wine and a nap.)