parents, 1; smartass teenage son, 0

[jrtom]

http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2007/03/filed-under-parents-1-smart-ass-teenage.html

Heh. :) :)

(Other posts are also well worth reading.)

Comments

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

It is a serious topic. The thing is that under the circumstances, her son was _not_ prepared to take it seriously; he was too wrapped up in his own wit. (This is by no means restricted to teenage boys--I still do it myself on occasion--but they tend to be even more likely to deflect serious topics with humor.)

I don't think that embarrassing him (regardless of method) would have been a good way to get him to pay attention, either; most people tend to be less receptive when they're embarrassed. The key, I suspect, is to speak to them at some point when you're sure that you have their _respectful_ attention. (Which, again, is difficult at this age...but necessary.)

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

*nods* Some measure of embarassment may be necessary to rein in the kid's humor/wit. Hopefully after that some serious discussions can occur, but here I feel like the mother has cut off that possibility for a long time. It's still funny though. :)