Category Archives: Teenagers

The Last Armed Democrat

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

Our arsenal keeps growing. We already own a pretty good quality bow and arrow and several AirSoft guns; for those of you with pacifist sons or daughters only, these are “toy” weapons that shoot little round pellets, which are neither … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Camp is Just Ducky

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

It was a 603 number, and the caller ID read, “Merrimack Valley YMCA.” My heart dropped. My 13-year-old son had been at a YMCA sleepaway camp in New Hampshire for a little over a week, and he still had six … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Bracing for the Crash

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I got a very good piece of advice from a friend whose oldest child is a few years older than mine: do not, under any circumstances, buy a new car within two years of your child’s taking Driver’s Ed. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Kids, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , | 6 Comments

And Don’t Forget to Write

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

He didn’t even have his cellphone for comfort. Electronics, of course, are not allowed at summer camp, so when we dropped our 13-year-old son off yesterday at the bus that would take him into the wilds of New Hampshire, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Boys will be boys, Family life, Kids, Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Who’s the Child Here?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

My 8-year-old was watching the “American Idol” finale in my bedroom when I walked in to put away some clothes. “Can you please leave?” she asked. Apparently she planned to dance around, and my presence was inhibiting. I refused: “It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranky mommy blogger, Family life, Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Farewell, Facebook

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

My 16-year-old may be the first adolescent in history to deactivate her Facebook page. “What?” I asked, incredulous. I felt a little panicked that she was moving on just when I was catching on. Apparently she’s committed to returning to … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Teenagers | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A Mountain of Risk

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I am not a particularly cautious parent. My kids ride their bikes to school, take the train into Boston with friends, fly alone to visit relatives. My son plays football and rapels down trees, both girls went to sleep- away … Continue reading →

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Sluts on Parade

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

No one has ever made me feel like a conservative old crank–except for my 16-year-old daughter. While it’s true that I’ve inched rightwards after decades of aging, experience and paying taxes, I have never actually voted for a Republican–though I … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

No Writing on the Wall

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Susan H. Greenberg

I learned a valuable lesson this week: do not, under any circumstances, post a message on your teenager’s Facebook wall, especially if you think you are being a little bit funny. There’s only one exception: once a year, you may, … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Reality check, Teenagers | Tagged , | 1 Comment