In a relatable twist on the daily struggles of parenting, California mom Lisa Turner recently went viral for her candid note addressing her daughter’s late arrival at school. On this particular morning, chaos ensued as Lisa’s eldest child, Sarah, 14, was running behind schedule, causing commotion for the whole family, which also includes her two younger siblings, ages 10 and 4. Anyone who has navigated the teenage years—whether as a teen themselves or as a parent—can surely empathize with this familiar scene. As the sun rose, the battle against getting out of bed waged on, with teenagers often resisting the inevitable call to face the day.
In a moment of exasperation, Lisa decided to pen a note to the school, humorously attributing Sarah’s tardiness to a condition she dubbed “teenage-ism.” The internet quickly rallied around Lisa’s clever phrasing, giving her a well-deserved round of applause.
“To whom it may concern: Sarah is late this morning due to a flare-up of a condition known as teenage-ism. This affliction is widespread among adolescents across our nation, and unfortunately, there is no known remedy,” she wrote.
As Lisa shared on her blog, this was one of those mornings where frustration escalated rapidly. While lecturing Sarah about punctuality and accountability on the drive to school, Lisa noticed her daughter had tuned her out completely, lost in her music with headphones on. This moment pushed Lisa over the edge, leading her to grab Sarah’s phone and toss it out the car window—a bold move that certainly left an impression.
In a remarkable display of restraint (considering the circumstances), Lisa unplugged the headphones first, perhaps a nod to her inner voice of reason reminding her of the science behind projectile motion. The symptoms of “teenage-ism” on that fateful morning included a reluctance to leave her cozy bed and a tendency to talk back to her mom.
When they arrived at school, Lisa sought to make a point rather than excuse her daughter’s lateness. Instead of writing a typical apology, she explained the cause of Sarah’s tardiness in a way that would resonate with any parent. She emphasized that Sarah is not a bad kid but simply a teenager having a rough day: “I want to clarify that Sarah is an honor roll student and an incredibly gifted musician. I’m proud of her and cherish being her mom. She just had a tough morning.”
Despite the phone incident, it seems they’ve moved past that moment of chaos. Lisa’s humorous yet poignant note serves as a reminder that every parent faces similar challenges, and it’s all part of the journey of raising teens. As Lisa put it, “It’s crucial for my children to understand that regardless of their mood, they are accountable for their actions and should consider how those actions affect those around them.”
For every parent who has shared in Lisa’s experience, her note offers a lighthearted laugh amid the drama of parenting a teenager.
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In summary, Lisa Turner’s humorous take on her daughter Sarah’s tardiness reveals the universal struggles of parenting teens. Her candid note not only resonates with parents everywhere but also highlights the importance of accountability and understanding in the parent-teen relationship.