There’s something about those teens and early 20-somethings who think they’re the ultimate rebels just because they got away with breaking a few rules. They love to act like their little mischiefs are heroic feats, but trust me, all they’re doing is annoying the people who care about them.
Take, for instance, the mysteriously disappearing money. You know the type—the one who “just doesn’t know” how the last hundred bob meant for dinner went missing. It was right there on the table, but somehow, they don’t have a clue where their cash went. And if you ask them, the look they give you is so blank you’d think they were just hit by an amnesia spell.
“I swear I didn't use the money, Mom. It’s like it vanished.”
Really? Did the money vanish, or did you need airtime to call your many girlfriends? It’s never an easy conversation when you know you’re being played, but they’re still sitting there looking like an innocent bystander. You’ll find yourself shaking your head, trying to figure out if they actually believe their own lie.
Then there’s the matter of chores. Oh, the endless back-and-forth about who’s supposed to do what around the house. You ask them to wash the dishes, take out the trash, or at least fold the laundry before settling to do their own fun activities , but somehow the world ends before that task ever gets done.
“Mom, I’ll do it after I finish this episode.”
Which episode, exactly? The one where you’re sitting on your phone, scrolling through social media for the fifth hour? Or the one where you’re too busy telling your friends about how you’re “helping out” at home while actively avoiding the laundry pile that’s threatening to take over the living room?
It’s like you’re speaking in riddles when you remind them to clean up. You’re met with everything from dramatic sighs to the “I’ll do it later” routine, which never happens.
And let’s not forget about the one who shows up late every single time, as if the universe is conspiring to make them the last person to walk through the door. They’re “hanging out” with friends, but when you ask where exactly they were, the details are conveniently foggy.
“I lost track of time, mom, and then everyone wanted to hang out for a bit more.”
We both know that “bit more” probably turned into hours. And while you’re sitting at home, pacing, wondering if you should send out a search party to track down your child, they stroll in as if they were right on time.
"Sorry, I didn’t think you’d worry that much."
Oh, no worries. It's just that I was trying to make sure you're still alive miles away from where I last saw you.
The fun part is, they don’t even think they’ve done anything wrong. You try to point out how disrespectful it is to just wander off without informing anyone, and they hit you with the “you’re overreacting” speech. It’s as if they’ve suddenly forgotten that the world doesn’t revolve around them and that basic courtesy still exists.
But here's the kicker—they don’t see themselves as the problem. They think they’re so clever for breaking the rules or sneaking around, but in reality, all they’re doing is creating unnecessary tension at home. They think they’re being slick, but really, it’s just old-fashioned irresponsibility dressed up as independence.
And you? You’re just over here, silently losing your mind but trying to maintain your “cool parent” act, while your child somehow believes their little stunts are the epitome of greatness.
It’s the classic case of rebellion without a cause—breaking the rules to break the rules. And they don’t realize that the real heroes aren’t the ones who sneak around and get away with everything. The real heroes are the ones who come home on time, respect their parents, and, most importantly, actually follow through when they say they’ll do something.
So, to the “rebels” out there—breaking rules doesn’t make you cool. It just makes you the reason why we have trust issues.
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