I’m Karen Dukess. I’ve been a tour guide in the Soviet Union, a newspaper reporter and editor in Florida and Russia, the marketing director for Men’s Health magazine, a book reviewer for USAToday and am now a communications consultant for the United Nations — none of which prepared me to be the mother of two teen-aged boys. My oldest, who is 14, recently described my former parenting blog (at the late Trueslant.com) as “hilarious,” only to respond to my look of bemused pleasure by clarifying that it was funny because he was laughing at me. My youngest, who is 12, is still not a teenager, at least according to the standards of 1962. But we all know by now that 12 is the new jaded 15.
At home, I am not only driver, maid, cook and backscratcher, but I am that tree in the forest - I know I’m talking, but as no one is listening, I’m not sure I am making any noise. I hope this blog will resonate with others experiencing the bewildering, exasperating and, when you least expect it, profoundly moving experience of raising teen-aged boys. Join the conversation. I promise I’ll stop texting and listen. Maybe I’ll even make eye contact. In any case, I promise to pick up my dirty socks.
Just came across your blog on freshly pressed and am so excited to read a blog on this sometimes perilous topic. My oldest boy is 15 and very much a teen of the 21st century, texting non-stop, suffering from FB moodiness, the change screen when I walk in the room…Of course he is also kind and patient with his 9 year old brother. Parenting in this digital culture is a challenge to say the least. Great to hear a fresh voice on all of these issues!
Nice to know I am not alone! It’s hard not to be suspicious when teens are acting like…teens. Thanks for reading!
I think you could be my new favourite blog! I’ve got 2 boys of similar age myself…11 & 13….its a brave new world!
Well, thanks – and I hope you come back! I’m sure we will have a lot to share in this challenging new phase of life.
I have two teenage sons and the challenges involved in raising in the new modern world is universal . Communication technology has made the world one big Continent which make the pitfalls we experience in many situations similar.great post.
[...] week Osa is our houseguest. My friend, Karen, is off fetching her sons at camp, and we are playing house with Osa. I knew her from the countless [...]