My son, Shrubhater, is thirteen years old today, please pray for me!

[liberalhistorian]

Good God, has it been THIRTEEN years already? Seems like yesterday it was his first birthday, and the day before that that I was in a drugged stupor for three days (I had a c-section), where the hell has the time gone? I never thought I'd still be living with my parents, though, like I have been since I was four months pregnant with him and his father threw me out of the house.

I thought we'd be on our own long before this, and I sure as hell didn't think I'd still be a single parent! And given that I was laid off last week from my paralegal job, it'll probably be a lot longer before we are on our own.

And he reminded me today that there was only "910 more days before he could get his temporary driving permit" (in Ohio you can get it at 15 1/2 years old); so I'm giving you Northeast Ohio drivers fair warning NOW before it's too late, lol! But my God, my son is a TEENAGER now, HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

He keeps promising that he'll always be close to me, that he'll never get defiant and distant from me, etc., yeah, sure, kid! I've got him on tape saying that so I can play it back to him when he pulls away from me and gets smart, lol!

[LynzM]

1. ROFL

LOL about getting it on tape! You've got one seriously socially-aware kid there, you know that, right? ;) I think there's a good chance he will continue to be close to and respect you, as how many kids at 13 will get on a public chat forum and talk about how cool their moms are? HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!

[liberalhistorian]

5. Thanks!

I'll be sure to pass that on to him!

[NightTrain]

2. I wasn't defiant to my parents during my teens.

However, I more than made up for it when I hit became radicalized in my early 20s. But Chris has already become radicalized, so as far as defiance goes, he may not be a late-bloomer like me.

But whatever the case, if Chris gives you any shit, just let me know. I'll kick his ass for ya. ;)

BTW, our fund has already raised $90! :bounce:

[leftyandproud]

3. radicalized at 13...

good lord...My little sister just turned 13...still a little girl..still watching cartoons...I think you rubbed off on your son a bit too quick...indoctrinated him about 4 yrs too early in my humble opinion...kids shouldn't need to worry/stress about politics that young.

[liberalhistorian]

7. Actually, I didn't

do any "indoctrination" at all, he just paid attention to things on his own and asked questions and took it from there. And we don't agree on everything, either, for instance he's pro-life, believe it or not!!!

[SW FL Dem]

12. I respectfully disagree

My 13 yr old son doesn't post on DU, but he is more aware of politics than many adults. I don't think it is a bad thing. My son is a good student, competes in athletics and has lots of friends. He can't wait to vote, unlike many of the kids his age or older. You are never to young to care.

[liberalhistorian]

13. Congrats, sounds like

you're raising a very fine young man there!

[WillParkinson]

24. Hell, I just turned 40...

I still watch Pokemon on Saturday morning.

Age is just a number. A person can be a very mature 14 or a very immature 40.

[liberalhistorian]

6. LOL!

I don't think you'd really have to kick his ass all that much, frankly, he's basically a really good kid.

NINETY bucks already, you say? WOW!!! THANK YOU DUers, YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST!!!!!!!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. Oh, no. I will pray for your immortal soul. The next 3 years...

you are soooo fucked.

[liberalhistorian]

8. Gee, thanks!

I feel so much better now!:scared: :evilgrin:

[Mr. Blonde]

9. At least

he isn't a girl. I saw the movie Thirteen, I am quite frankly scared to death of having a girl now.

[liberalhistorian]

14. Yes, I know exactly what you mean,

I was very glad I had a boy. I was hoping I'd have a boy from the moment I first learned I was pregnant (as shocking and surprising and very unplanned as it was).

My paternal grandmother raised three girls and four boys, and she was very glad for me that I had a boy, she said they're much easier than girls to raise.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

10. Congratulations!

I've always thought that birthdays should be more about the mother -- they're the ones who did all the hard work.

So happy birth-ing day! :party:

[liberalhistorian]

16. Thanks!

And welcome to DU!!!

[Southpaw Bookworm]

27. I've actually been here for a while.

I created a second username because my SO and his mother are both DUers, and occasionally I like to post about things I don't necessarily want them to know, typically delicate info about friends and family they are acquainted with.

[SW FL Dem]

11. You have my hugs and understanding

My son turned 13 last month. Where has the time gone?? Seventh grade is almost over and it just began. I am still very close to my son. He is my best friend. The thought of him driving is scary, I can't even begin to think of the day he moves out.

[liberalhistorian]

17. I know what you mean, Chris and I are very

close also and I don't even want to think about him driving!

[Guaranteed]

15. Is this the guy who's been taking

on his teacher over *? Or am I thinking of someone else?

In any case, tell him Happy Birthday for me!

[liberalhistorian]

18. Yes, he is, indeed,

and I'll pass along the good wishes to him!

[SarahB]

20. My daughter has leftist teachers

I found out one even posts on DU. Happy birthday to your son and a big :hug: for standing up for his priciples.

[starroute]

19. It's what happened when the hormones kick in

Even if you're close, even if they're not particularly defiant, they still are moody, easily offended, and generally just a trial to live with. (You'll know it by when the acne starts.) Tolerance, patience, and supporting their better impulses is generally what works best.

By about 16 they get human again.

[LastKnight]

21. i wouldnt be too worried about the rebellion yet...

give him another year before you get too concearned about that. and i wouldnt be too worried at all, politically minded teens tend to rebel against society rather than their family. thats what i ended up doing, thus i am here... i started down that path and i dont think ill ever go back to centrist, he being your son and a DUer thiers no doubt that hes a smart kid. dont worry about him.

but then again, im a fellow teenager tryin to make the path easier for a comrade... so should you really listen to me? :evilgrin:

-LK

[SmileyBoy]

22. Make sure he doesn't get too out of line...

When I was that age, I was basically a bad kid. The reason was because I was really frustrated with life, and how people interacted with me, and I had no idea that I had Aspberger's. I felt isolated and alone. After going to a bunch of diversion programs, I started straightening out by age 16 or so. Now I'm not suggesting at all that your son will get into trouble or anything, but I think he has Aspberger's too, if I'm not mistaken. I was diagnosed with it in 1997 at the age of 15, after I had gotten into all my trouble. I think it helped explained my frustrated behaviour, and took a huge weight off my shoulders.

Now again, I'm not suggesting that he's gonna be a bad kid at all. Puberty for a kid is bad enough, but puberty for a kid with Aspberger's is a lot worse. Make sure that he feels supported by you and others. If he starts to feel isolated and unloved, it can be very frustrating. That's kind of how it works with that syndrome.

I was in the United States' very first teenage Aspbergers support group from 1997-2001. It was headed by a doctor in Edina, MN. She was also one of the first doctors in the US to introduce Aspberger's to society. Now I'm 21, going to college, and have a LOT LESS problems in my life than I used to.

Just remember to make sure he knows he's being supported.

[K8-EEE]

23. My Daughter Is A Shrubhater Too...Turned 13 Last November.

THE DRIVING THING SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF ME!!!!!!!

SERIOUSLY!

[GreenPartyVoter]

25. You have my sympathy! *l*

My oldest just discovered his first wiggly tooth. I swear he just cut those things in yesterday! :(

How do they get so big so fast?!

[dawg]

26. Congratulations ...

I'm less than two years away from the same thing.

[Paradise]

28. Happy Birthday Shrubhater! Have a great day! :)

and, best of luck to you liberalhistorian :) !

[Commendatori]

29. I wouldn't worry too much about this, because

if he's politically aware enough at 13 to hate the Shrubster, you've obviously done a damn fine job raising him so far. :) Best wishes to your kid for a happy birthday.