The original inspiration for this post came during our family vacation to Whistler. Although a fun time was had by all, I was ever so disturbed by my boys' complete lack of couth and situational awareness. It would be an understatement to say I was discouraged and perhaps even a little humiliated as my kids belched, ate with their hands, told inappropriate jokes just a little too (okay, a lot too) loudly, and basically ran amuck, while other kids sat cleanly and quietly, exuding politeness and civility (and these weren't just those cute little British kids). I think the last straw was when, at the nicest restaurant we visited, my eldest (Mr. Moody Teen, himself) picked up the creamer pitcher, and took a big swig. Where had I gone wrong?
I've always adhered to the philosophy of 'choosing one's battles' when correcting, guiding, punishing my kids. Clearly, I haven't chosen so wisely. Or so I thought...
While I was back 'home' this past weekend, reliving old nightmares (and creating some new ones) with my parents and brother, my husband and boys were basically left to their own devices. No, baths weren't taken, clothes weren't changed... heck, hair wasn't even combed. Home repair projects weren't completed. There really wasn't much in the way of organized, productive activity, whatsoever.
However, homework was completed (marginally, I assume, but who cares), serious guy time was spent, a home cooked steak dinner was prepared and consumed, and the following little gem was emailed to their mom (me).
They may never be able to eat in public, and no girls will ever want to get near them, but they've won my heart forever.
*author's note: in case it is too difficult to read, the sign says We Miss Mom. also, if you don't find this a big deal, you obviously don't have teens. the sheer will it must have taken for them to a) smile (yes, those count as smiles), and b) hold up a nerdy sign admitting their love for their mother, is staggering. or perhaps their father was holding them at gunpoint. either way, this was a dramatic moment.
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38 comments:
That would indeed melt my heart! Big props to the boys for uplifting their mom! Even if dad held them at gunpoint. Too funny!!
its a huge deal- appreciation from teenstrangers is very rare xx
It sounds like the important things in life were completed!
Could dad not have used that 'gunpoint' to get them to at least run a rake through their heads (lol)?
Heck ,as long as they don't blow their noses while at the table, they're perfect to me.
And anyone who doesn't think that email was a big deal, not only doesn't have teens (boys especially-I thought boys were supposed to ADORE their moms - its all lies), but they probably don't have kids at all.
Happy Friday Debster!!
Between you and Amy's post at MWOB, I've hit my quota for smiles through misty eyes.
This is great. Way to go, sweet boys.
And if it makes you feel any better, my mother is Miss Manners, Martha Stewart and Dear Abby all rolled into one. You'd never believe it if you saw my brother chow down.
I have/had teenagers and that is a totally HUGE deal.
Especially with boys. I love the notebook paper and red crayon or pencil!!! (Like I said I know teenage boys, and that takes a lot of extra thought!! :-) )
What a couple of cuties.
gosh, I love how you write.
mamaface
That was a totally HUGE deal! Wow!
Boys...such strange, fascinating, and (at times) OVERWHELMING creatures!
heh heh
Loved this post GF!!!
BIG deal! I appreciate any signs of affection I recieve from my teen boys!
I'm STILL trying to tame the biggest boy in our house, and it's the one I CHOSE to be with...! Sometimes all you can do to explain the perplexing behavior is attribute it to boyness. Whatever.
And by the looks of them, many a girl will want them (don't they already??)
That is certainly a picture suitable for framing, poster-size, in the front entryway. You can't fool us, Deb. You are one rockin' mama, craziness and all! =)
Ahhh, boys.
ah, the teen years are quickly approaching in this house. well, actually, we are already there i suppose, at 13. but i think the real beauty begins when they hit high school :) that is an awesome to receive, especially from you teens.
Okay I think I'm crying. With laughter and the mushy stuff too at that whole scene!! I don't know those delightful boys of yours who swig creamer from a pitcher at a swanky restaurant but holy holy, them holding that sigh is so friggin' earth shattering and says A LOT about the kind of mom you are my friend.
Yeah for you. If I were you I would consider your mother's day handled with that pic. Who needs perfume when you got that pic? :-)
See Deb you are a very blessed MOM. They are boys. Boys will be boys. But the love you with all their ratty dirty hair hearts. If boys that age took the time to create a picture and actually use email that is impressive and one more sign of their true love for Mum.
I totally get this...and I'd say that email makes up for all of the other things 100 times over :)
Awww, they do love you. They would not have done it otherwise.
I was wondering. Why is it that I can laugh out loud at Moody Teen's pitcher swig? If I saw that from across the room, in a sitcom, or read about it on a blog I would laugh. If my girls swigged, I would want to crawl under the table... So why is it that when it's our own kids, we fail to see the humor? Or we see the humor but swallow the smile? I have no answer, just wondering. Teenagers are mysterious creatures.
That is huge! I'm glad they have redeemed themselves- now, can you send them over to teach mine- or just your husband with the gun would work, too!
I love it!!!
I was just formulating a post in my head recently about how I don't care that much if my boys belch and say stupid things and constantly crack fart jokes, as long as they are loving and all that good stuff.
So yes, I love this post. You're a good mama, lady.
They appreciate you, wow lucky you!
Haha - after the initial joy, I bet you just wanted to get home to comb their hair! At least you know they are nothing without you - haha!
How fantastic! I do realize what a big deal this is!
My teenagers rarely miss me.
Happy Mother's Day!
I LOVEEEEE it!!!!
it's a very big deal.
Ahhh that is sweet!!!
Hi - I'm new to your blog and think you are hilarious and real! I found you over at Sally's blog and have to say that we all fear that we are raising the Menendez Brothers at some point and worry that our kids are going to be the ones to disgrace us at the church BBQ...
Your boys sign and smiles tell a great story...they are being raised by a loving Mom! Good job on the blog and the boys!
Happy Mother's Day!
Big deal indeed...Yay Mom!
WHO made them do it? Come on.....someone bigger with a large baseball bat? Please tell me that's how it happened. I'm feeling my inferiority complex coming back.
Awwwww! That picture totally made up for everything, didn't it? :)
Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day! :)
I think that's an awesome loving gesture on your little "miscreant's" part. :) They love you and that's the most important thing. Especially today. :)
Things like that make it all worthwhile, don't they? :-)
Awww! Who cares how messy they are as long as they dig their mama!!
Even though I don't have teenagers, I can see the monumental nature of this. Shows what a great mom you are! Love seeing your boys together, too!
Happy Mother's Day.
That is great....I too have a moody teen and he has never made or held a sign like that...and never smiles. Those are absolutely smiles!
See...they appreciate you, they really really do. your a great mom!
I LOVE it - see they do love and adore you! Boys and moms!! Melts MY heart!!
The manners thing . . . I see it does not improve with age? Not happy about this . . . at least they weren't tooting at the table and laughing over it!
Oh, you make me feel better. I am beside myself when my five year old sticks his fist in his spaghetti and tomato sauce and goes at dinner. You mean they don't learn by the time they're teens? Yeah. I'm going to sit back and relax.
That is totally sweet. Those moments let you know you've done something right!
Very very sweet. And yes, I know how hard that must have been for them.
I don't think I've seen my daughter smile in about a month.
That is SO cool. I can so relate to the rudeness and wonder where I went wrong. I'm blaming it on my husband. Yep, I surely am. They spent two nights with my parents recently. The day before they were using every slang involving body parts known to man. Once I told them knock it off they of course had to do it MORE to freak me out. I told them they were NOT to scare grandma and grandpa with their crude references. What is with boys?
That is beyond cute! I hate hope that my daughter might still love me when she's a teenager and I suddenly don't know squat.
This is great. Glad I stopped by--- I have a few teenagers myself! :)
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