Mornings can be a true test of patience for parents, especially when wrangling two teenagers. It’s a challenge reminiscent of the struggles faced by characters in dramatic films. If you happen to be one of those optimistic morning people with children who embody the Cleaver family, congratulations! Honestly, I’m a bit envious of your seemingly perfect morning routine. My mornings, however, resemble a dark and stormy chaos that often leaves me questioning my decisions.
Every day begins the same way. I reluctantly pull myself out of bed, rub the sleep from my eyes, and approach the doors of my two teenage children’s rooms. With a cheerful demeanor, I greet the young adults who were once my adorable little ones. Those delightful kids who would bound into my room at dawn have transformed into grumpy creatures that seem to have emerged from a teenage abyss.
Waking a sleeping teenager is like trying to rouse a hibernating bear. The sounds that erupt from their rooms range from groans to muffled cries (my teenage daughter, in particular, can be dramatic). Despite the chaos, I don my best parenting smile, hoping for a glimpse of joy and tidy spaces. I’m usually left disappointed—unless it’s the weekend, of course.
After navigating the initial teenage turmoil, I retreat to my bathroom for a much-needed shower. But then the inevitable battle begins—the struggle for shower time ensues, and I find myself sharing the space with my daughter, who once was my sweet little girl. As I stand there, barely managing to rinse out shampoo while she decides her hair requires an extra wash, I’m reminded of the sacrifices I made during her 20-hour labor. But those thoughts quickly vanish as I realize I’m left with just a trickle of water.
At this point, coffee is essential (or I might just explode), so I shuffle downstairs, towel on my head and robe wrapped around me. The noise from upstairs hasn’t quieted; my daughter is now jamming to Taylor Swift, while my son is yelling for her to turn it down. I attempt to drown out the chaos by singing to my coffee cup, but it does little to help.
As I make my way back to my room to get dressed, I hear the first of many cries for “Mom!” that will bombard me over the next hour. My son, the more laid-back sibling, wanders around like it’s the movie Groundhog Day, completely oblivious to the fact that he should have located his toothbrush by now.
Turning on my hair dryer becomes my only escape from the morning chaos, until my daughter requests my help with her hair. Attempting to style her hair is like trying to tame Medusa’s snakes. I’ve learned to avoid eye contact while working on her braid. After a long struggle, a meltdown ensues, complete with tears and accusations that I’ve made her look terrible. It’s a real joy, let me tell you.
With only 20 minutes to spare before we all need to leave, I’m still in my robe, pondering how I ended up in this situation. My children, now fully dressed and ready, hit the kitchen to prepare their lunches while I scramble to apply makeup and get ready. The brief moment of peace ends as I hear “Mom” another 75 times.
As the clock ticks down, I’m inundated with forms that need signatures, lost jackets, and the infamous question of how my son got home without shoes. It’s a daily struggle, but despite the chaos, I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve attempted to be more organized and I’m working on keeping my cool (still a work in progress), but the morning madness always seems to return. Regardless of the morning mayhem, I always look forward to returning home to my beloved kids.
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Summary
Mornings with teenagers can feel overwhelming as parents navigate the chaos of awakening grumpy teens, battling for shower time, and dealing with endless requests. Though the process is fraught with challenges, the love for one’s children remains paramount.