Does anyone truly know what time it is? Or even more importantly, does anyone care? Decades ago, the band Chicago posed this question in a memorable song. But there’s one group that definitely cares about time—us moms! We need to keep track of when to pick up the kids, when family dinners are happening, and when those pesky sports permission slips are due. These are the schedules we revolve our lives around.
Teens, on the other hand, have a completely different perspective on time. For starters, many of them don’t even wear watches—unless, of course, it’s a smartwatch that doubles as a mini-computer. For them, the old-fashioned clock with hands is almost an alien concept. Luckily, digital displays on DVRs and cell phones help them keep track of the hours. Yet, even with all this technology, their sense of time remains, let’s say, creatively flexible.
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Request: Could you please clean your room?
Your teen says: Sure, soon.
True timetable: When the door can no longer open without clothes tumbling out. -
Request: Please start studying for that big test!
Your teen says: Okay.
True timetable: The morning of the test, cramming on the bus. -
Request: Can you look up from your phone?
Your teen says: In a minute.
True timetable: Five hours later, during dinner. -
Request: Please take the dog outside.
Your teen says: Fine.
True timetable: After the dog decides to leave a “gift” in the living room. -
Request: Don’t forget to send thank-you notes for the birthday gifts.
Your teen says: Later.
True timetable: Right before their next birthday. -
Request: Can you close the window? The air conditioner is on!
Your teen says: Yep.
True timetable: When winter rolls around. -
Request: Join us for family game night, please!
Your teen says: Mmmhmm.
True timetable: When all their friends are out of town. -
Request: Time to stop playing that video game.
Your teen says: Sure.
True timetable: When you pull the plug on the TV. -
Request: Can you come out of your room?
Your teen says: … (silence, thanks to those earbuds).
True timetable: Three hours later, for dinner. -
Request: Please put your dishes in the dishwasher.
Your teen says: Of course!
True timetable: That’s never going to happen.
And the ultimate challenge of them all:
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Request: Can I get a hug before you leave?
Your teen says: Ewww!
True timetable: When you sneak up and wrap your arms around them. For a brief moment, time stands delightfully still.
For more insights, check out this post on understanding time in the teenage world, or dive into other parenting tips! If you’re exploring pregnancy options, this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination could be a great help. And for specialized kits, you can find more information at Cryobaby’s home insemination kit, which is an authority on this topic.
In summary, navigating the time perceptions of teenagers can be a humorous adventure. Their sense of urgency is often quite different from ours, making parenting a unique challenge filled with patience and laughter.