20 Things That Surprised Me About Having A Teenage Boy
I grew up the middle of three girls, sandwiched between two sisters. Yup, I’m just like Jan Brady, minus the bonus brothers.
My sisters and I filled our teenage years with activities like sports, theater and student council. We also filled them with Aqua Net, jelly shoes, stirrup pants and princess phones. Living with sisters meant I was never exposed to the reality of life with a typical teenage boy.
I think that’s why my teenage son constantly surprises me. There are so many things about having a teenage boy in the house that I didn’t expect or were just plain different from how I grew up as a teenage girl. Here are 20 things, both funny and serious, that surprised me about having a teenage boy.
1. How much he enjoys playing video games
This is his favorite activity to do once he’s done with school, work or extracurriculars. I guess I thought he’d read a book or watch movies like me.
2. How much time he spends playing video games
Not only does he like video games, but he is content playing them for hours. And don’t get me started about waiting for him to wrap up a game to come to dinner!
3. How many rolls he can eat at a restaurant
He can eat a dozen rolls slathered in butter and then chase them down with a huge steak. It’s amazing.
4. How many rolls he can eat and NOT gain weight
This one’s not fair! All I have to do is look at a roll and my waist expands an inch. Yet my teenage son devours a dozen without a smidgen of fat appearing anywhere.
5. That he would find potty humor so funny for so long
I thought he’d outgrow finding bodily functions so funny. I thought wrong.
6. That he never, ever wants to talk to me about girls
Not even a little bit. I’m ready with excellent advice should he ever bring it up.
7. That I’m the embarrassing one, not his father
How is it that when my husband and I rock out to Bon Jovi it’s only me who mortifies our son? According to my husband, it’s a fact that all teenage boys find their mothers embarrassing.
8. How bad he smells after working out or playing sports
The scent is strong, odiferous and lingers on everything from sports equipment to the upholstery in the car. Yikes!
9. That he would know the name, number, college, and position of virtually every professional athlete
My son forgets to take out the trash, yet he remembers every statistic about the Detroit Lions’ 4th round draft pick in 2019.
10. That I’d be jealous of the way my teenage son talks about sports with his father
Maybe it’s because my husband, not me, also knows every statistic about the Detroit Lions’ 4th round draft pick in 2019.
11. He rarely comments about my appearance, but when he does, I take notice
Recently he told me he liked my shirt, which was an old one from the back of my closet. It’s now my favorite shirt. Because my teenage son said he liked it.
12. That I have to look up to his face
At least once a week I do a double take as I gaze up at his face, towering above mine. Wasn’t he just a baby?
13. How deep his voice sounds
Just like his height, I’m astonished that that deep voice is coming from my little boy.
14. How big his shoes are
His shoes are like aircraft carriers next to my rowboats in the mudroom. You could land an airplane squadron on those things.
15. How much he cares about his friends
He adores his friends and loves spending time with them. This one surprised me because I feel society doesn’t portray strong friendships between teenage boys.
16. That he cares about his hair
He might not use a plethora of products like I did back in the day, but he still wants his hair to look just right.
17. That he answers text messages with one word
I get Yes, No or Ok. I’m not looking for a novel, but a few more words would be appreciated.
18. That I’m so impressed by the man he is becoming
Seriously, I’m so proud of him, whether he’s holding the door open for someone, rocking a test, or just smiling at me from across the room.
19. While I’m also still surprised by the child he still is
He leaves his dishes on the counter, doesn’t pick up his clothes off the floor, and I still take him to the pediatrician.
20. That I would love him so, so much, with everything that I am.
I’m not surprised that I love him, but I am astonished by how much I could love my teenage son. It’s with everything I am–and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who embraces her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom.
Free December Family Events in the Toledo Area
Ongoing
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
The annual Santa’s Wonderland experience, hosted by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, is a favorite holiday tradition for families. Visit Bass Pro Shop in Rossford and Cabela’s in Dundee for a free 4×6 photo with Santa. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The 48th annual Holidays at the Manor House returns, admission is free and no reservations are required. Each year, volunteers from the community transform the 30,000-square-foot Manor House into a holiday wonderland.
5100 W. Central Ave.
Kids Storytime at Earth Coffeehouse
Step away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the cozy space and storytime at Earth with your littles on Saturday mornings.
1447 N. Summit St.
Refined Gaming’s Free Pokemon Tournament
Refined Gaming hosts a weekly free Pokemon tournament each Sunday afternoon.
5960 Angola Rd Suite 2.
Join Mrs. Claus at Books-A-Million on Sunday afternoons for a storytime.
3201 Levis Commons Blvd.
Dec. 1
Hensville Tree Lighting Ceremony
Light up the park at the annual tree lighting in Hensville Park. Enjoy live music, food, and character appearances from Cindi Loo, The Mean One, Buddy the Elf, Jovie and Santa.
Washington & St. Clair.
Dec. 2
Parade of Trees and Selfies with Santa
Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society will host this event for a second year. Take a selfie with Santa, enjoy hot cocoa and check out the uniquely themed and decorated trees.
Bringing a Winter Wonderland to East Toledo is the River East Association and the East Toledo Family Center.
Dec. 3
Christmas Open House with Citizens Advisory Council
Citizen Advisory Group is hosting a complimentary event at Maumee Indoor Theater. Photos with Santa, music, popcorn, and a showing of “A Christmas Story Christmas (2022).”
601 Conant St.
Ottawa Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Celebrate the holiday season at the City of Toledo’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting event.
2015 Parkside Dr.
Dec. 6
Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Snowy Social
Lucas DD’s Early Intervention department is hosting a Snowy Social. The event is family-friendly and geared towards young children. It is a free and open event for the community. All abilities are welcome. Registration is required.
Dec. 7
Franklin Park Mall welcomes The Chabad House of Toledo for the 36th Annual Chanukah at the Mall celebration. The event includes a Menorah lighting, music, and food.
5001 Monroe St.
Dec. 8
Ready to Read supports you and your K-3 child on their reading journey. Participating caregivers will receive a Ready to Read K-3 toolkit, filled with tools and activities to help strengthen reading skills.
3265 Glanzman Rd.
The Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce will host this annual event. During the event, guests can enjoy delicious cookies and hot cocoa while listening to holiday music. Free Santa portraits by Alexa Marie Photography will also be available.
Dec. 9
Light Up the Night in Grand Rapids
Visit Downtown Grand Rapids for this light parade.
Dec. 13
Wear your coziest pajamas and join Santa for activities and pictures at the Holiday Wiggle Wednesday. Children will have the opportunity to create Christmas crafts, write a letter to the North Pole, enjoy milk & cookies, and enjoy story time with Santa. Everyone will receive a holiday children’s book and families receive a complimentary 5×7 photo with Santa.
Dec. 15
Perrysburg Chorale: A Very Chorale Christmas
The Perrysburg Chorale invites you to their annual holiday concert, “A Very Chorale Christmas” at St. Rose Catholic Church in Perrysburg.
Dec. 16
Fairy Golf
Design, create, and test your own extra-small mini golf course complete with obstacles at the Heatherdowns Branch Library.
3265 Glanzman Rd.
Dec. 17
Cookies with Santa at Collingwood Arts Center
Celebrate Christmas with free cookies and crafts at this community arts event.
2413 Collingwood Blvd.
Dec. 19
NAMI Creative Kids provides an opportunity for children/adolescents(6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills. Registration is required.
4334 Secor Rd.
Birth Circle
Hosted by OHMI Midwives, Birth Circle is an inclusive support community that gathers monthly to discuss topics about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting.
5166 Monroe St. Suite 301.
Dec. 20
LEGO Freeplay
Kids can practice their engineering skills and put their creativity to work in this fun building program featuring LEGOs and K’Nex.
3030 W. Central Ave.
Dec. 21
Downtown Menorah Lighting
Chabad of Toledo invites you to an outdoor menorah lighting with latkes, donuts, music & more.
One Government Center.
Beyond Healthcare Toledo: Nurturing Mental Wellness Beyond Boundaries
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beyond Healthcare emerged as a beacon of hope, pioneering a transformative approach to mental health care for adolescents aged 11 to 17 and their families.
Founded in 2021 by Lisa Richardson, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, Beyond Healthcare transcends conventional healthcare norms to address the multifaceted challenges young minds face.
The Genesis of Beyond Healthcare
Richardson founded Beyond Healthcare in response to a concerning surge in mental health issues among teenagers during the pandemic. Recognizing a growing prevalence of challenges like depression, anxiety and suicidality, Richardson sought to create a practice that examined the entirety of an individual’s well-being.
She reflects, “What are all the different factors that are keeping these kids unwell?” The answer, she discovered, lay not just in psychological factors but also in stable housing, nutrition, and the unprecedented isolation brought about by the pandemic.
Comprehensive services for holistic healing
Beyond Healthcare specializes in providing holistic mental health care, addressing a spectrum of conditions, including oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, addiction and trauma recovery. The services encompass assessment and diagnosis, partial hospitalization, outpatient services, medication management, telehealth, care coordination, case management, and group and individual therapies.
The cornerstone of their offerings is the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), a daily regimen featuring mindfulness, goal setting, self-esteem, and identity strengthening, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Beyond Healthcare aims to foster positive outcomes and patient engagement by emphasizing family involvement and education.
A mission of holistic healthcare
Beyond Healthcare’s mission revolves around the concept of “holistic healthcare,” which considers the whole person—body, mind and spirit. The treatment center is envisioned as a space where stigma cannot thrive, cultivating a culture of inclusivity and a creative environment for healing.
Echoing this sentiment, Richardson emphasizes, “One thing that our team excels at is creating a culture of belonging, where each child that walks in our doors feels valued, seen, and heard. More than ever, we all need community and belonging. It’s a vital part of overall wellness.” The physical embodiment of this ethos is the inspiring message painted on the wall of their Toledo location: “You Belong Here.”
Involvement and outreach
For those seeking assistance or looking to get involved, Beyond Healthcare invites individuals to reach out at any time. Walk-in assessments are available at all their locations, spanning Toledo, Fairlawn and Cleveland. Prospective visitors can receive a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the organization’s impactful work. Recognizing the importance of virtual accessibility, Beyond Healthcare extends its reach through a comprehensive virtual program catering to individuals across Ohio.
Richardson further encourages those grappling with mental health challenges to connect with their local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) office for additional support.
In essence, Beyond Healthcare extends its arms to those in need and a community eager to contribute to the next generation’s well-being.
Beyond Healthcare Toledo stands as a testament to the power of innovation in mental health care. In a post-pandemic era where the vulnerabilities of youth are increasingly evident, Richardson and her team at Beyond Healthcare are rewriting the narrative. By addressing each individual’s unique circumstances and fostering a culture of healing and inclusivity, they are propelling mental health care beyond the confines of tradition, genuinely living up to their name — Beyond Healthcare.
Beyond Healthcare. 3110 Central Ave, Toledo. 419-309-3991.
Tales of Our Elf on the Shelf
By Cheryl Maguire
“When is the elf coming to our house?” My two-year-old daughter asked me this question, and I had no idea what she was referring to at the time.
“Elves don’t come to our house, sweetie,” I told her. “They make toys at Santa’s workshop.”
“Ella said her elf came to her house yesterday, and he goes back to Santa at night.”
I responded with a platitude like “that’s nice” and redirected her attention elsewhere. I thought— or rather hoped— that was the end of the conversation, but I soon learned I was merely at the beginning.
This was in 2007 when Elf on the Shelf was making his grand debut, and I was a naïve parent who thought the elf was cute in its colorful see-through box. But looks can be deceiving. The package should contain a large warning label stating:
I may look cute, but I require an immense amount of time and creativity that will last for the next ten years or so. I also come with a lot of specific rules that must be followed. If you are not up for the challenge, take your hands off of the box and go buy a stuffed animal that only requires some occasional washing. Trust me, I’m not joking.
Even if that warning was listed, let’s be honest, I would have bought it anyway because who would believe that a stuffed elf would be more work than caring for a hermit crab or a newborn baby??
When my kids first met their elf— much like any pet requiring oodles of time and money (yes money–I’ll get to that later)— you have to choose a name.
I rattled off some suggestions of boy names that my husband had shut down when we were pondering baby names. I was excited that I might finally have a chance to have one of my favorite names selected.
“How about Gavin, Reese or Aiden?”
They responded the same as their dad did.
“No way!”
After much deliberation, they settled on an extremely creative one— Elfie. Yeah, I wasn’t too impressed either. I’m guessing that probably ranks in the top five for elf names.
After the naming ceremony, I was about to remove Elfie from the box only to hear my daughter scream in terror.
“NNNNOOOO, you can’t touch him mom or he will lose his magic.”
I wonder how I could create the same rule for my phone.
So Elfie sat in the box, untouched, waiting to fly back to Santa to report on my children’s behaviors.
Now that is something that sounded good to me: a tattle tale elf who held a lot of power in the gift giving department.
What didn’t sound so great, and ended up becoming an enormous amount of work (just what I needed during the holiday season), is that the elf needs to be moved every night when I’m at my lowest level of functionality. Not only must he be moved, but he also needed to be posed in some funny or interesting manner, like zip lining across the living room on a candy cane or resting inside a snowman made of toilet paper rolls (you’re welcome if those ideas are new to you).
And then my kids wanted to buy Elfie accessories like clothes, sleeping bags and cooking utensils. This year you can even buy your elf a mask, hand sanitizer and toilet paper. By the time we were done, Elfie had nicer PJs than I did.
It was all getting a little out of hand. I felt the need to outdo myself with Elfie’s hijinks since I didn’t want my kids to be disappointed.
Every year my kids wanted Elfie to return earlier. I would roll my eyes and think of the extra work, but— like most mothers— I did it anyway.
Just like our pet hermit crab, Elfie grew on me over the years despite the extra time commitment. I tried to focus on my kid’s excitement when they searched for him instead of how I’d just spent an hour scouring the Internet for “Elf on the Shelf Ideas.
Last year my older kids barely uttered hello to Elfie, and they didn’t dare search for him. It was then that I realized how much I’m going to miss the guy when my youngest outgrows him.
I still think he should come with a warning label about the huge time commitment, but I would be willing to add a disclaimer saying, “Okay I’ll admit it— it’s totally worth it.”
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.