What Was I Thinking?! | Parenting

Okay, let’s be honest. There are very few people who can look back on their adolescent years without smiling at some of the mistakes they made. How easy it is to forget about these things when dealing with our own teens. I know, I know, we didn’t have so many distractions back then such as social networking demands and the Internet, and yes, we actually talked on the phones, which were located in our bedrooms or kitchens on a cord connected to the wall! Maybe the world seemed much simpler back then but, be honest, we were teenagers once and well, frankly, we did not always do what we should have. Come on, I know I am not only speaking for myself here.

The next time you catch yourself wanting to scream, “What were you thinking?,” take a deep breath, calm yourself down, and remember what it felt like when your parents yelled at you. Was it helpful? Did it undo what was done? Focus on solutions with your teens. Calmly hear them out. Present consequences firmly but try to avoid sounding angry. And, just to bring you back to your own adolescent days, what follows is a list of memories from some parents of teens (including me but I won’t tell you which ones!)

What was I thinking when…

I insisted on wearing shorts even in a snowstorm?

I got that haircut?

I shaved my head?

I got that tattoo?

I wore that to school?

They told me not to but I did it anyway?

I forgot to pick my parents up at the airport and went to a friend’s party instead?

I kicked my sister out of the car and made her walk home?

I tried to fit my father’s Buick into a spot too small for a Volkswagon Bug?

I had that party when my parents weren’t home?

I took the car without asking?

I dated that guy?

I dated that girl?

I  told my father he didn’t care?

I told my mother I hated her?

What's your favorite "Why did I do that?" moment? C'mon, add to the list!