At some point in our lives as parents, we must take a long, hard look at the teenagers we’ve nurtured with love and dedication. It’s time to smile and say, “Cut the nonsense.” These three words not only guide our children toward becoming better adults but also contribute to creating a more understanding and respectful world.
Growing up, I never experienced this kind of directness from my parents. However, when I was 18, I met someone special named Jake. After a couple of dates and numerous late-night chats, he confronted me during dinner with a phrase that many had likely thought but few had the courage to say. I was venting about something he hadn’t done—maybe I was critiquing his choices. “Cut the nonsense,” he said, with both humor and sincerity.
And just like that, I made a change. We’ve been together for nearly 27 years now, and that phrase helped me evolve into a kinder and more considerate person. I learned to let go of unspoken expectations and realized that my viewpoint wasn’t the only one that mattered. Instead of insisting on my way, I started listening to others and even held doors open for those behind me.
Life is all about those small moments that build up to something significant. Eventually, we either become reasonable or remain oblivious. My journey toward being “reasonable” didn’t happen overnight. Jake had to remind me a few more times, but I eventually decided to move past the self-absorbed tendencies of my younger self. Unfortunately, my siblings didn’t have anyone to provide that gentle nudge. My sister still thinks every family vacation should cater to her whims, even if it involves a three-hour opera without bathroom breaks. Meanwhile, my brother married someone who simply smiles and agrees, allowing him to demand extravagant birthday cakes—seriously, it’s just cake!
As seasoned parents of teenagers ourselves, we understand that this is the age when unreasonable behavior tends to peak. Between the ages of 14 and 18, those once-adorable children can start believing that the universe revolves around them. If we allow it, they’ll hold onto that belief well into adulthood.
The shift happened so subtly; I was too busy juggling life to notice. My sons went from bedtime hugs and kisses to waking up with scowls and a sense of entitlement. They needed a wake-up call, so I told them to cut the nonsense.
It’s not a simple task, but neither were those early toddler years when we were tempted to park them in front of cartoons all day. Fellow parents, we can do this together. Here are some common teenage statements in our house that needed a loving yet firm reality check:
- “I’m an adult!”
- “I don’t want to talk about it.”
- “Whatever.”
- “Tom’s dad said we could do it.”
- “Is that wine you’re enjoying?”
- “The game’s almost over; I’ll eat dinner later.”
- “You can tell there’s no cereal left—just shake the boxes.”
- “Who planned Aunt Martha’s funeral during playoffs?”
- “I wasn’t trash-talking on the court, Dad. I was just speaking the truth.”
- “I need you to drive back to school to get my gray folder. Or would you rather I fail?”
- “While you’re up, can you get me ketchup, a napkin, more fries, and the remote?”
- “Can I finish my thought before you lecture me?”
Let’s join forces, fellow parents. We can’t blame anyone else if our kids turn into entitled adults. It’s time to stand tall and say, with both tenderness and firmness, “Cut the nonsense.” We can say it with love and laughter, and feel great about it, knowing we are helping create a better world.
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In summary, as parents of teenagers, we hold the key to guiding them toward being responsible adults. By utilizing straightforward phrases like “cut the nonsense,” we can foster a sense of awareness and empathy in our children that will serve them well in life.
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