Think dealing with babies is tough? Wait till those tiny humans turn into teenagers. If you thought midnight feedings were exhausting, just wait until you have to decipher your teen’s cryptic texts or survive their mood swings. Let’s dive into some real-life family stories that will make you rethink wishing for the baby phase to end quickly.

My Eldest Daughter Hates Me

Look, I get it. You think you can only adore one child. My eldest daughter, who was our golden child, turned out to be as prickly as a cactus. Rude, distant, and prefers her grandmother over me. She only calls once every three months. Oh, joy! The younger one? Thank goodness she’s lovable, because otherwise, I might lose my mind. © Ward #6, VK

Pull-Ups: My Secret to Teenage Patience

Want to know the secret to surviving teenage arguments without screaming into a pillow? Pull-ups. No, not the baby diaper kind. The heavy-lifting kind. As my patience wains, I perform pull-ups on a doorway bar and drink water. It’s my zen zone, where I reset myself before diving back into another round of teenage debates. I even got ripped in the process! © Overheard / Ideas

My Nephew Calls Me Out

Oh, the joys of being the cool aunt. My sister’s son was minding his own business playing video games when he asked, “Why don’t you remind me it’s bedtime?” Apparently, not enforcing bedtime means I don’t care about his eyesight or future. He prepared for bed on his own, though. Mission accomplished? Sort of. © Spiteful 1990 / Pikabu

Model Mother on the Train

Public transport is the breeding ground for interesting dialogues. A mother and daughter next to me were discussing phones, and the daughter didn’t want a flashy iPhone for fear of theft. Instead, she wanted to save the money for grandma’s dental care. Made me wonder if I’d slipped into an alternate universe where teenagers make sense. © Trapezium / Pikabu

Rural Escape Equals Sanity

If you’ve got teenage kids who won’t stop bickering, here’s a tip: have a rural escape nearby. My husband and I sneak away to our countryside house, leaving the teens at home. They thrive on independence, and we relish the tranquility—it’s a win-win. We get our sanity back, and they don’t miss us much, thanks to the fridge full of food and internet access. © #GoodMotherhood/VK

The Trustworthy Teens

Here’s an unconventional parenting tip: stop micromanaging everything. Giving my sons complete freedom as kids meant their rebellious phase was almost non-existent. Now, they are practical, family-oriented men who sometimes make me feel like the only free spirit in the house. Who says freedom leads to chaos? © Doovy/Pikabu

Blue Hair, Don’t Care

When my son brought home a girlfriend with blue hair and tattoos, my husband freaked out. But let’s not judge a book by its cover, right? After digging out my own rebellious photos from the past, I proved that appearances do change. Now, I’m a pediatrician. People evolve, and so will our kids. Mistakes and all. © Full Story/VK

The Trust Bond

My daughter’s best friend is a 20-year-old dude she met online. And yes, I am totally cool with it. Heck, I even let her sleep over at his place because I trust her completely. It’s less about the other person and more about trusting your own child. Parenting level: expert. © feldkurat / Pikabu

Strolling with My Son

Ever been taken on a stroll by your adult son? When I casually asked to join his hangout with friends, he surprisingly agreed. We strolled, ate fast food, and even rode electric scooters. It was like being a teenager again. The best way to connect is not just through words, but shared activities. © #MotherhoodHappiness / VK

Too Much Freedom?

My daughter thinks I don’t love her because I give her too much freedom! Her friends have strict rules, but I trust her judgment as long as homework is done and she’s back by 10 p.m. Makes me a bad mom? Maybe. I call it giving wings while keeping a watchful eye. © Asaly / Pikabu

The Gullible Niece

My niece despises her life because she can’t do what her “friends” claim to do. Midnight curfews, uploading bras pics—it’s all forbidden. She doesn’t realize that 90% of what her friends say are just lies to feel superior. Teenage drama at its finest. © Evadoll/ Pikabu

Independence vs. Fear

My “independent” daughter trembles at the thought of calling her strict new teacher. So much for all that talk about being grown-up. It’s a harsh reminder that despite their bravado, teens still need us to shield them from the intimidating adult world sometimes. © feldkurat / Pikabu

Pancake Queen

If your teen can make breakfast, you’re winning. But when my daughter turned into a pancake master, it resulted in 6 extra pounds on my waistline. Do I dare stop her? Nope. Those pancakes are worth every delicious bite. Sacrifices, amirite? © Overheard / Ideer