Sponsored by
Peter Rook: on teenagers and the "It's not fair" club
It comes to that point in a columnist's lifespan where, if he or she reaches a certain age, they will write something about teenagers. The problem with writing about teenagers is that there is very little to write about that hasn't already been written before.
It comes to that point in a columnist's lifespan where, if he or she reaches a certain age, they will write something about teenagers. The problem with writing about teenagers is that there is very little to write about that hasn't already been written before.But please indulge me. I may not have too many revelatory and sparklingly insightful and original observations to make on this curious breed, but this week's column is performing a kind of cathartic function for me.
My eldest is fast approaching the surly sixteens complete with epic strops. This is where I have to point out that I only get the grief on part-time basis, seeing as how I'm effectively a part-time dad.
I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies.
However, I write this column to mark the passing of my youngest son's latest birthday – his 13th birthday!
This, of course, means that he is now a fully paid up member of the "It's not fair" club, complete with all the trademark attitude and angst.
Yes I'm the proud father of two teenage sons. So I gave the little man a little man-to-man talk.
It was not a talk about the birds and the bees. Judging by the level of information imparted during sex education lessons (which my eldest sons told me involved putting a condom on a banana in one session) they probably know more than I do. Kids grow up too fast these days, but that's a separate column in itself.
Instead my "little chat" was a one-to-one about life's expectations now he's a teenager. I believe in setting the ground rules and levels of acceptable behaviour from the outset.
So I said: "Happy birthday son. And from now on remember that no one owes you a living, money does not grow on trees and I'm still your father and not an unpaid taxi driver.
"If you talk to me about 'needing more space' there's always the garden shed. When I say 'Good Morning' please don't reply 'Huuuugh' or sarcastically 'Is it?' This is all presuming that I'll be seeing you before noon at the weekends."
I continued: "Please don't forget that, hard as it may be to imagine, I was a teenager once upon time so I do know what you're going to go through. Oh and remember, above all, life isn't fair, it never has been and never will be. Got that?"
He nodded, rolled his eyes and replied: "Yeah dad I got it. By the way, I'm meeting Michael at the Showcase cinema. Can you drop me there and can I have some money for the ticket and some popcorn."
Teenagers! Huh?
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.