Teens and Advance Planning

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Teens and Advance Planning
13
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 9:57am

DD came running down the stairs in a panic this morning. "Mom, I'm completely out of contacts! I threw my last pair away last night."

Well, a little advance notice would have really helped here, don't you think? Like two weeks ago? Something like "Mom, I just put my last pair of contacts in; would you please order me more?" would have been nice. When do teens learn that there are some things that just can't happen on a moment's notice?

Good thing she didn't whine or put up a fuss about wearing her glasses to school!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 10:06am

Oh, Jules..........I lecture my DS OVER AND OVER AND OVER about this. Not necessarily contacts (although he is now in soft, so I imagine this will be a problem soon), but for EVERYTHING.......at 2:00 on Sat. afternoon "Mom, so and so is having a HUGE party tonight" ok, how long have you known? "Oh, I don't know, a couple of weeks............." or 5 minutes before he walks out of the door----"hey mom, can I spend the night with..........." No time to think, plan or use my brain at all.....I feel ambushed. Ht thinks I'll give in because there is no time to THINK ABOUT IT. So, lately, my answer has been 'NO' I didn't have enough notice. This has REALLY put a crimp in his lifestyle, which in turn puts a crimp in MY life (because he's a crab). But maybe over time he'll learn a little.

By the way, mine would go to school with his glasses tucked in his backpack, get a headache from not wearing them, and not see for 2 weeks rather than be seen in his glasses. He is so vain! You know, he is such a handsome kid (yes, I know, he's mine, so I'm not very objective) and he is one that truly looks good (very trendy) in glasses----yet he's so obsessive about his looks--- I mean worry wise...........he shouldn't worry, he's quite the 'hottie' according to the girls I hear from.............sheesh.

Shels

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 10:08am
Unfortunately, they must learn the hard way - just like we did. My DD ran out of her ADD medicine a few weeks ago and didn't have any refills. She didn't bother to tell me until she couldn't focus on her Sr Research paper. I doubt she'll do that again anytime soon and neither will your DD.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 10:08am
You aren't alone. The scenario you just described is commonplace in teen-occupied homes everywhere.
One of my husband's favorite mantras to our teens is "lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 10:42am

Hey, that mantra is good in the workplace, as well---especially when dealing with the public. Although, I wouldn't actually SAY that to someone, it sure helps when people get NUTS!!

Shels

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 11:58am

Well, I just realized that DD will sing liturgy at an all-school mass today -- in her glasses and in front of all those cute boys! You're all absolutely right, I doubt she'll 'forget' to tell me it's time to re-order ever again.

I did suggest she check out DS' stock and wear a pair of his. With the exception of DD having a .25 stronger refraction, the prescriptions are the same. She said she didn't want to end up squinting all day and with a headache. Guess she's not too terribly vain about her looks -- should I say 'yet'?

I placed a minimum re-order on-line this morning and requested overnight shipping so they'll be here tomorrow. Two days of glasses at school will undoubtedly improve her memory!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 2:27pm
I had to laugh at the title of your post.
Pam
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2004
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 4:14pm
haha, I would do something like that. I plan absolutly nothing in advance. With friends, I don't want to committ to one thing, because I might get a better offer a little later, so I wait until the last minute. Yes, I know, it's not very nice. Otherwise I'm just lazy about telling my parents stuff.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Wed, 11-02-2005 - 7:36am

Oh, bless your heart!! I am thrilled to hear this from you! I 'accuse' my 15 yr old of holding out on me (telling me what plans are) because he's waiting till ALL offers come in so he can choose what is the BEST.............Not that it is really wrong---but he swears he doesn't do it, but this is validiation that teens DO THIS.....so my suspicions are probably right.

Shels

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Wed, 11-02-2005 - 9:30am

Planning ahead in my house is a double-edged sword! Although I do like to have a heads-up on 16yo DDs plans, I have learned that NOT knowing until the last minute is sometimes better. More often than not, plans are made and then changed ~ over and over again. I figure the scenario is that one of the girls has an idea, the others all agree it's a great one and then parents are consulted. The parents might

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Wed, 11-02-2005 - 9:39am

hmmm...

And here I thought DD waited until the very last minute to prevent endless discussion and possible veto of the event.

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