We’re huge fans of the teenage years. No really. We’re serious! It’s a very exciting time. Your babies are stretching and growing into their very own people. Granted, there are some rough patches that come with all of this stretching and yearning, but for the most part, teenage girls are not the door-slamming, smart-mouth-flapping, vitriol-oozing banshees depicted on TV.

At least not unless you fan the smoldering flames of their angst. Or poke the sleeping bear. Or mess with the bull. Or whatever is your favorite analogy for annoying your favorite teenager.

Between our two households, we have three teenage girls making our lives shiny and bright. So it is with much field experience we present you with . . .

The 12 Commandments for Surviving Your Daughter’s Teen Years

1. Thou shalt not light her fuse by starting in on her as soon as she walks in the door. This is a definite do unto others as you would have done unto you situation.

With this in mind . . .

2. Thou shalt not flip out when your eyeliner disappears. It goes with the scarf she already “borrowed.”

3. Thou shalt rage minimally when your boots come back caked in mud. Just have her clean them and feel honored she likes your fashion sense.

And for good measure . . .

4. Thou shalt keep her nourished and hydrated at all times to avoid meltdowns.

5. Thou shalt always carry emergency supplies; lip gloss, Band-Aids, tampons, emery board, etc. One day she will be prepared, but today is probably not that day.

Also in case of emergency . . .

6. Thou shalt always keep the freezer stocked with ice cream.

For your own sanity . . .

7. Thou shalt not talk badly about a friend or boyfriend who has wronged her because these relationships shift like the wind . . . only faster.

In fact,

8. Thou shalt–just to be safe– keep thine mouth shut and thine ears open when she is talking.

And just to clarify . . .

9. Thou shalt refrain from saying “Back in my day . . .”

If it slips out,

10. Thou shalt use her eye rolls as a power source for your patience.

Keep in mind . . .

11. Thou shalt always sloppily show your love even if she balks because . . .

12. Thou shalt always remember this is the last stop of childhood before adulthood looms large.

-Ellen and Erin

You might also like How to Talk to Your Kids About Dating.

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