My daughter Alexandra 16. The tender age that parents are so afraid of. After all, everyone knows that the current youth is not what we were. They are licentious and irresponsible, lazier, and they have no interests - there is only one Internet in the head, a party and the opposite sex. And then there's teenage maximalism and no respect for the parents. Whether we were responsible, sensible. Or not?
A photo: Getty As soon as my tongue starts spinning this dirty thing: “But at your age ... (I earned money, I thought about the future, defended my doctor’s, saved the hungry African seals ...), I immediately blush and start laughing. The phrase, never being born, collapses into a dusty lump and moves further away. And all because the comparison is clearly not in my favor. What happened to me at 16? First, I graduated from high school. Secondly, for three years already, she had met with Sasha's future father. Yes, I was a bad girl. Third, I tested bad habits: I smoked (I hid it from my parents, though), and with alcohol it was already, if not “hey, you”, then definitely not “you.” In general, there is nothing to brag about. Except maybe relative success in school and rare reading among my peers. As soon as my tongue starts spinning: “and here I am at your age ...”, I blush. The comparison is not in my favor, Yes, well-read people and then, 20 years ago, were rare. So the attacks like “You are sitting in the phone, there is no reading a book” - well, I don’t know ... Did you really spend all your time at the age of 16 for books? Come on. Well, seriously, remember yourself in your 16 - what the heck with two in your head was working in a volunteer corps, studying and books about the development of humanism. And surely it was easiest to motivate you to diligent study or selfless help to your parents with the help of the power of the magic Pendel. Not? Then you are a rare exhibit, let your autograph. But let’s go back to two specific girls, that is, to me and my daughter. Let the girl Alexandra really be lazy, really stick in social networks, doesn’t shine with enthusiasm for volunteer work in the wilds of Africa, but old grunting “And here I am ...” she will never hear from me for sure. Because she is better. She is now better than I was at her age. Love your children 
Photo: Getty At what moments it is worth biting the tongue
- Twirling in front of a mirror, diligently dyeing eyelashes
I want to blurt out: “Well, what are you painting yourself? Your main adornment is youth!” Remember: your first gatherings for a date or a disco. These monstrous lilac shadows. Clustered eyelashes. And mom's grumbling about the fact that only girls of easy virtue are brightly painted. Remember? Now take a brush and show how it is right - in order to measure and accurately.
- Lying on the couch and giggling, looking at the phone
Have you already started saying: “There's nothing to do? Physics learned? It would have been better to wash the dishes (it wiped the dust, helped the mother in the kitchen, walked with the dog)? What thoughts were in your head? That's right: "It seems that ancestors just infuriates when I'm not doing anything." There is a deal of truth in it. Other people's idleness is annoying, especially when he is tired. But you can ask for help, gently ask about the lessons, and take a walk with the dog. Or - now I will say sedition, attention! - postpone household chores and also peacefully lie on the couch!
Photo: Getty
- Brings not the best quarter marks.
Just do not start this here: “And Tanya Sideeva (a set of letters in the name and surname is arbitrary) learns excellent, helps her mom, she nurses with her brother, walks to basketball, learns Japanese and succeeds in everything.” Try this passage yourself. Compare yourself with a classmate who has his own business and who spends his New Year in a new country, changes cars like gloves, bought a five-room apartment in the center. Nicely? So shut up better.
- Puts on a desperately stupid outfit
“Did you forget your skirt?”, “What kind of robe is this?", "Are men's boots in fashion now?" Oh, that's it. Remember how you wore green leggings and leopard skirts. And mini-dresses too. As well as lurex, a stupid handbag with rhinestones and a T-shirt with sequins. Style in a child should be brought up, not mocked. Especially if you yourself are not a standard and wear boyfriends with stilettos.
- Solicited to the club
Oh, it's complicated here.You want to set a deadline for return right away – 23 hours and not a minute later. Otherwise, panic sets in: the child will get involved in a story, find trouble for herself, someone will offend her. Remember: you yourself didn’t walk until the morning at 17? So what? Always drank until you dropped and did obscenities? Or do you distrust your child so much that it seems to you that as soon as she leaves the door – alcohol and debauchery immediately follow? Try to agree on mutual calls or SMS – once an hour is enough. And you are aware of the situation, and the precious child does not strain too much, which will look “not cool” in the company.
