Category Archives: Teenagers

For the Love of Siblings

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Susan H. Greenberg

My little brother is the only person on earth I have ever punched as hard as I could. It’s been 35 years, but I can still recall the intense feelings of rage I felt toward him for his hideous way … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged | 7 Comments

Music to My Ears

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I’m still struggling to comprehend it, but my 16-year-old daughter asked for–and received–the same thing for Christmas that I wanted when I was her age: a new turntable. I honestly didn’t know they made them anymore. She had been poking … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Family life, Kids, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Procrastination with Friends

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Has anyone else noticed that “Words with Friends” has hit a critical tipping point? I was hunched over my iPhone at the grocery store yesterday, desperately trying to land my K on a triple letter space, when the teenager behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Gossiping With My Girl

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

While I was getting dressed for Thanksgiving dinner, I overheard an alarming conversation between my husband and my 16-year-old daughter. It went something like this: Daughter: “Dad, have you watched the latest Gossip Girl yet?” Mr. 70 Percent: “Yes! I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Go-Between

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

My 16-year-old and I recently enjoyed a very 21st century mother-daughter outing: we made a pilgrimage to the Apple store to purchase the new iPhone 4S. (Each of us was using a phone with a screen so shattered it routinely … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

A World Without Jobs

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Of course I’m sorry that Steve Jobs is gone. I enjoy Apple products as much as anyone. More important, he was far too young–56–and lived the kind of unconventional, multi-faceted, follow-your-bliss life we should all aspire to. In addition to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

License to Run Errands

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

If you’re wondering why there are so many horrendous drivers on the road, I’ve got the answer: it takes exactly six minutes to pass a driving test. At least that’s how long it took my daughter–the one who, en route … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

There’s No Place Like Camp

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Usually when the kids arrive home after being away, we enjoy a brief honeymoon period: they are engaged, chatty, appreciative, helpful and pleasant. Not this time. My 16-year-old daughter returned yesterday after four weeks of being a junior counselor at … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Rattlesnakes, Spiders and Bears

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Oh my. My son returned home from a two week backpacking trip in the Blue Ridge mountains with some harrowing tales to tell, along with a smelly piece of freshly-killed-rattlesnake skin. A more anxious mother might have banned him from … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Parenting, Teenagers, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

With the Kids Away, the Snoop Will Prey

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

The house is quiet. The counters are strangely uncluttered. No dirty socks lie balled beneath the coffee table, no empty glasses litter the top. The bathroom sink remains eerily free of toothpaste streaks. Yes, it’s the high point of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments