A mother gets heard when Junior’s small. Then she’s at her teen’s beck and call. How true! When my eldest son turned thirteen, I planned a big birthday bash for him. Little did I know that was going to be the last time I would ever celebrate his birthday at home. The next year, when I suggested a party, he said, “Chill, mama. Just give me some dough and I’ll take my pals out instead.” Whatever happened to the little boy who used to pester me for a party every year and invite the whole neighbourhood to it?
The other day, I made the mistake of opening my teenager’s cupboard. I backed out, appalled. It looked as if a tsunami had hit the region. I spent a whole morning sorting out stuff that I should not have to be looking at in the first place. When a child is small, one makes excuses for such things, but what excuse can I make for a boy of 15 years who can’t even keep his underwear in the place assigned to it?
When boys become teenagers, they get so fashion-conscious, and it is a real pressure on the wallet. Suddenly branded names like Levi and Adidas are the mantra of the day. The price tags on these items almost bring on a heart attack. Speaking of clothes, I distinctly recall an incident when baggy pants first came into vogue. I had gone to visit a friend of mine and her son walked in through the door, looking as if he was straddling a horse. On close observation, I noticed that his pants had reached sub-zero level. I got a glimpse of electric blue just before he scooted into the bedroom. I now make it a point to check my son every time he leaves the house. Cannot have him displaying his assets to all and sundry, you know.
Not only are boys fashion-conscious at this age, they also become girl-conscious. The same girls who were sissies in pigtails are now “babes” to be tailed. Last year, it was a crush on A, now it is E. Next I, then O then U? Wow, well!.
They are also into exercise in a big way, doing push-ups to try and get into stud shape. In fact, even hairstyles are evolving from the crew cut, which they were forced to sport in school, to the punk style, which they find ‘cool’. The other day a bizarre friend of my son’s stunned his father by saying he was going to shave his head in such a way that the words STUD stood out. The father recovered quickly enough to retort, “Alright, but only if you add a Y after it.”
I never thought boys would want to smell good, but I was wrong. I remember him as a kid coming home filthy after a good game and waving his smelly socks in front of my nose. Now he washes his play-clothes religiously every time he is back and then spends an awfully longer time washing himself. When I blow my top at him for wasting water and electricity, all I get is an apologetic hug. Now, which mother can resist that, especially if it is given by a boy who gets embarrassed with any show of affection by her in public?
When Junior entered the portals of college, assigning pocket money became first priority. I sat my boy down, explained the reason for it and warned him not to come begging for more, each time he over-shot his budget. So, when the demand for a mobile came, I was ready with “Save a little every month and you will have one by next year.” It is amazing how soon they forget what their demands are once you use this game plan.
Another obsession teens have is chatting, whether it is on the phone or on the net. The cybercafé is their home away from home, their haven of refuge from prying Moms and Dads. Facebook, Orkut you name it, they circle the globe in their desire for recognition. Or else they are on the phone talking about heaven knows what for goodness knows how long.
Blaring beat-filled remixes, T-shirts with funky slogans, holey jeans with odd-looking logos, spiked hair that speaks for itself, need I go on? These sum up what we are exposed to once our cute lovely babies grow up to be young men.
So, all in all, I am cutting my teeth (and grinding them) on my first-born teenager. He is my teacher in a sense, because he trained me to be a mother when he was small, and now he is once again training me to live my own turbulent yet thrilling teens through him in a new way. Thank you, son! All I can say to you is “Shine on!”
No comments:
Post a Comment