Since last week I now officially have three teens in the house, it may have felt as though it has been years already but no, child number three turned that exciting age of thirteen.
Word of warning to anyone with babies or toddlers, make the most of it because boy oh boy teenagers are hard work.
- Don’t ever expect to win an argument with a teen because they are always right, of course.
- Start training your ears to 1, decipher teen mumbles and 2, to actually hear them because apparently they say quite a lot that is obviously not audible to their parents.
- Get a sense of humour, it’s either that or you’ll end up insane.
- Think before you object to anything, is the inevitable pain and tears(that’s you of course) really worth it or can you kind of live with it? If you can, turn a blind eye. As long as they’re safe that’s the main thing. I promise you it’s so much less painful.
- Expect to become a taxi driver for the foreseeable future and for your social life to take a back seat to theirs.
- Explain the dangers of everything…but give them some credit, trust them and hopefully they’ll respect you and be sensible
- Don’t make too many rules…then they can’t be broken
- Look on the bright side, they are now old enough to make themselves a meal, look after themselves for quite a few hours, can be a ready made ‘in house’ babysitter, be someone to have a grown up conversation with (if you’re lucky) and eventually they will be old enough to be taxi driver for you! 😉
- ….if all else fails there is always wine
A lovely drink to sup on at this time of year is warm mulled wine, an acquired taste that I like very much. Luckily I live in an area that brings out the mulled wine at every opportunity…fireworks, Christmas fairs, even church! Warning, It tastes so good that you may find it goes down far too easily..
Classic Mulled Wine
- 75 cl bottle of red wine
- 200ml orange juice
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 sachets of Schwartz Mulled wine Spice
- 150ml brandy
- 1 orange sliced
- Put the wine, orange juice, sugar and the mulled wine sachets in a large saucepan
- Carefully heat until just below boiling point and simmer very very gently for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and remove the sachets
- Stir in the brandy and orange slices and drink!
Yes, if everything gets too much and you know that you are fighting a losing battle, make some mulled wine, light the fire, take a deep breath aannnd relax…only a few more years to go, it doesn’t last forever. So I’ve been told anyway.
Schwartz kindly sent me the ingredients to make mulled wine, they must have known how much I needed it. 😉
Ha ha, I laughed when I read this post, I have 13 year old triplets and a 16 year old…..I can soooooo relate to all you have written 🙂 x
That is some great advice and I love mulled wine. x
Perfect to come in my inbox this morning 🙂 that is all I am saying 😉 !!!! Pass the mulled wine will you, okay so I said more xxx
Glad to be of service! 😉
There is always wine…..thank goodness and now my 19 yr old and I can have a glass or two together. On teenagers, my advice would be to ask their opinion on how they can do whatever it is they want to do and still get to school/get home safe/any other option that Mammy cares about. It’s a tough time though, but when it works out teenagers are lovely to be around, so full of life and enthusiasm xx
Haha…there is that. It’s hard getting the balance right isn’t it. x
I like mulled wine at Christmas with a mince pie, very nice. I also have a teenager and one in the making (she’s 12, so as good as) and I agree with all the advice you’ve given. Especially about the wine. x
I’m glad you approve….yes at twelve they already count as a teen I think 😉
I’ve heard of mulled wine but never knew what was in it. It sounds just like something I would love. Being pregnant, I’m not sure I should have it bit will definitely put this on my need list after giving birth!
Yes put it on your list…and many congratulations. That is fantastic news x
Great great advice lovely lady, and cheers to the holidays ! Xxx
Thank you! You too…hope you’re okay. xx
Three teens? All at once? Yes, I’m sure they did know how much you needed that mulled wine!
This really made me laugh, sometimes I think that Maxi is 6 going on 16!
Haha…yes it has felt as though child three was a teen at 4 years old! Help me now! 😉