The funny thing about raising teens (by funny I mean less ha-ha-ha and more what-the-huh?!?) is all the stuff you thought you knew about parenting...just stop it, right now...because kids have this really innate ability of having you question almost every move you make, to be totally wrong, probably.

Personally, my inner-12-year-old would LOVE to have me forget that I am the parent, take over the situation and let's play a little verbal dodge ball, while where at it. 

This morning, it's the door slamming.

SLAM!!!!

Sets my nerves on edge and don't worry, both my husband and I will give the door slammer a second chance to try again or the door goes away. It works for us. The front door, however, is a different story.

4th grade: one of the last times when they remember how to close the door, quietly.

Our youngest child lost her cell phone privileges, this morning. Doesn't really matter why. She probably doesn't even remember, okay neither do I. But that's not the point I'm trying to make, here, because I really do have one.

[blows bangs out of eyes, stares out the window]

Oh yeah, right. So, my husband and I were watching the weather channel (it's how we bond in the mornings, don't judge!) when we hear our youngest coming into the room...from three rooms away...for being as small as she is...she's got a VERY HEAVY FOOT.

[stomp-stomp-stomp]

And then leave.

Garth (not his real name): Have a nice day!

[STOMP-STOMP-STOMP!]

Me: Love you!

This is the part where you would probably hear the door...SLAM!!!...if we hadn't invested in that thingie that keeps the storm door from bashing into the door jam...hang on, let me ask Mr. Google, okay it's called...a door check, years ago.

[the whooshing sound of a door...closing...very...very...slowly]

Me (to my husband): I think we handled that pretty well, you?

Long story, short: raising teens is hard, but being an emotional and moral compass is even harder... YO!

Got teens? Don't have a door check? Get one!!!

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