The 'ager' in teenager

I survived...

from JoeUser Forums
I know my lovely wife Link has already written about the recent visit of my nephew and his best friend, but I thought I would share the experience from my point of view. My nephew Mitch and his best friend, Steve, are what I imagined to be fairly typical 14 year old boys. They are smart, funny, bright kids who have the world at their feet and don’t even know it. Both play representational hockey for the ACT (the Australian Capital Territory) and are keen musicians, among other things. Mitch is a drummer while Steve is a guitarist. I imagine they’ll have a band going soon enough and be looking to me to offer advice on recording etc. They’re into everything, think most things are ‘cool’ and showed me just how old I am getting.

One thing that occurred to me while having them stay is how pleased I am about my wife and my decision not to have children. Despite what people might think of this, it is not for selfish reasons either. I was able to talk to my nephew about things he probably can’t talk comfortably to his parents about. I like to think that Toni and I will be able to provide this kind of counsel for all our nephews and nieces in the future. If I remember my teens and early adulthood correctly, there are so many confusing, conflicting things going on. Parents and teachers, no matter how ‘cool’ they might be, are not always going to be the ones kids turn to in times of confusion. I hope our nephews and nieces will be able to turn to us. We’re making sure we let them know our door will always be open for them.

Okay, having had two teenagers in the house did make me realise just how crowded a place can get, even when it is a place with plenty of room. So maybe I am being a little selfish, but the powers that be know my siblings have provided more then enough little Masons to keep the name and blood alive. And now I am thanking whatever luck I had that made me take a couple of extra days off after the boys had gone home. Phew, they’re fun but a lot of work.
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4,154 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

When I was young, I just wanted to be an Uncle.  I did not want the 2 am feedings or any of the other headaches.

So what happened?  I had 4!

I am glad you can be the Uncle I never became (I still am an uncle - but a daddy uncle)

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm having trouble posting today so hopefully this will post.

I wondered where you'ld gone, glad to see it was being busy with family. Hey, it's great that you'll be able to be there for your neices and nephews. Kids always need somene to talk to and it's good that you and your wife can offer them that.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ahh well Maso, I think you make a wonderful Uncle, and I hope that one day my 'lil niece looks at me in the same light that your nephew seems to look at you in.  I know that even if I never have children (early days yet for that one) that my darling sister will provide me with plenty of nieces and nephews for me to show my affections to.  Kids are great, but I have to agree with you, that though I love my niece more than anything on this earth, it is nice giving her back
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ahh well Maso, I think you make a wonderful Uncle


I agree! I wished I had of had one like you!

Funny thing I remember- what do couples WITH kids and couples WITHOUT have in common? They both feel sorry for each other!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Doc,

When I was young, I think I would have benefitted from having an uncle close by (my parent's siblings all lived a long way away and we rarely got to see them). Having another adult ear would have done me a lot of good back then. I mean, look how I turned out

Serenity,

it's great that you'll be able to be there for your neices and nephews.


We want to be the 'cool' uncle and aunt who the kids can turn to when they need sage advice. So far, so good... I got your email the other day. I hope you got my reply too. Thanks so much again for it. You're a darling...

Sally,

I think you make a wonderful Uncle


Thanks. As I said to Serenity, so far, so good...

I hope that one day my 'lil niece looks at me in the same light that your nephew seems to look at you in.


I'm sure she will. Some of the things you've written about, it sounds like she absolutely adores you.

it is nice giving her back


Aint it just... I had no idea the amount of energy required to look after two 14 year olds, even given they're just about old enough to look after themselves.

Shovel,

I wished I had of had one like you


Thanks, mate. So do I....

They both feel sorry for each other!


I don't feel sorry for me, though. After the boys left, Toni and I both agreed we'd made the right decision.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
hahahhaahah this reminds me of the times my husband and I would look at each other and say.."remind me again, why did we have kids?"

They ARE alot of work from the day they are born all the way to adulthood....but overall it's been worth it. I wouldn't change it. As a matter of fact, I think I would have had at least one more.

You sound like a great uncle.....I'm sure they don't have a clue how lucky they are right now but someday, they will thank you for being there....if not in words in actions.

Have you ever thought of having a Cousin Camp? This would be a time where all the cousins get together for a day, weekend or week and do fun things with their Aunt & Uncle and get to visit with each other for that period of time. This could be done once or twice a year and be a tradition that all would look forward to.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
KFC,

All my nephews and neices live close to each other and see each other regularly as my brothers and sister all live in the same area. I, however, live about 3 hours away from them and my wife and I lead busy lives. While I appreciate the idea of a 'Cousin Camp', we would not have the space nor the ability to look after 12 kids. To be honest with you, the very idea scares the heck out of me But thanks for the suggestion anyway.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

While I appreciate the idea of a 'Cousin Camp', we would not have the space nor the ability to look after 12 kids. To be honest with you, the very idea scares the heck out of me But thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Camp CousinMaso - opening soon at a sanitarium near you.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
opening soon at a sanitarium near you


Exactly... While I know the teenagers would be no problem, it is the 5 to 9 year olds that would wear me down very quickly.