by Stephanie A. (On vacation)
Member since:
August 7, 2006

Teenagers, Are They All This Forgetful?

April 05, 2007 10:02 AM EDT
views: 939 | rating: 9.9/10 (15 votes) | comments: 30

    Last night my soon to be 14 year old daughter, walked to the local convenience store and bought a bag of chips and a soda. She is allowed to eat them in class today because she did not receive a detention over the past nine weeks. Today is also picture day at school so the morning rush was a bit hectic. I asked her three times if she had everything, and she said she did.

   About fifteen minutes after she left on the bus for school, my phone rang. It was my daughter. She left her chips and soda at home. The bus had already left our small town and was headed toward the school. After much discussion, I agreed to drive the six miles and drop off her goodies. I told her that I did not want to get out of the truck. She was supposed to get off the bus and walk to the truck to get her snacks.

   I waited in the parking lot for about ten minutes for her bus to arrive. The child got off the bus and went into the school. I tried calling her, but she already had her cell phone turned off. I waited for 10 more minutes and finally decided she was not going to come and get them. I debated about just leaving the school and heading home, but I had already driven the six miles.

   I decided to get out of the truck and take the snacks to the office. Just as I opened the truck door, I saw her running out of the school. I met her in the  middle of the parking lot, and she informed me that she had forgotten that I was bringing the snacks. WHAT???

    She has never been this forgetful.  I think being a teenager has turned  her brain to mush.

 


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Comments: 30

Digital Diva S. Apr 5, 2007, 10:23am EDT
You are such a good mother. Since it was a "special day" I guess I would have done the same and probably my child would have done the same too. Thanks for sharing your story.

Raising teenagers is like being pecked to death by chickens. (this saying was how I felt all those teen years from 1983 to 2002. And someone told me I was so smart to space my kids out - yah right!) <<<:-)
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Apr 5, 2007, 10:48am EDT
Tamara, I am glad that I am not alone. :-) It just shocks me that she could be that forgetful. She has always been so reliable. Then boom, someone stole part of her brain. I think her hormones are playing a role. I want to believe that anyway.

Aunt Marilyn S., My children are four years apart. I hope she outgrows it before her brother reaches his teens.
You give me hope, you survived many years of pecking. :-)
Annette E. Apr 5, 2007, 2:18pm EDT
My 11 year old called from school EVERY morning for a week straight because she forgot one thing or another. Drives me crazy! I've gotten to where if it isn't something major, like her medicine, she's out of luck. We tried a morning checklist, but she lost the list!
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Apr 5, 2007, 2:57pm EDT
Annette, I am sure my daughter would lose the list as well. She has lost her agenda at least 6 times this year.
The science teacher loaned her some books, and she left them laying on the bleachers in the gym. She got off the bus crying because he had told her to be careful with them. I drove her back to the school to get them, but someone had already returned them to him.
Jenna S. Apr 5, 2007, 3:02pm EDT
LOL. That's somewhat funny. Not that you had to drive to drop things off but I'm often like that every since I had my daughter. I have to walk back to where I was to regather my thoughts and figure out what I was going to do. I don't remember being like that when I was a teenager. Sure I'd occasionally forget things but usually I make a list and gather stuff together so I don't forget anything. Good luck.
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Apr 6, 2007, 11:48am EDT
Jenna, I laughed all the way home, but I did not tell her. :-)
Jewel Hughes Apr 9, 2007, 1:22pm EDT
LOL We all have our moments :-)
Jewel
dimondj2
http:/www.jewels-ebooks-4-u.com
Linda DeMerle Apr 9, 2007, 10:59pm EDT
OhMyGosh. Stephanie. The stories I could tell you about my 15 year old. He is the original absent-minded professor and his teachers have been calling him that for years.
My son, who is twelve, is the WORLD'S worst about this!!!! Glad to know his brain isn't the only one not working right! lol
Paula Love Apr 11, 2007, 8:47pm EDT
Oh the things we do for our children! Living out in the country also, I know your pain! Our kids are 21, 15, 15, and 11--- yes, the teenager years are the worse. They have so many other activities going on that they seriously just forget things unless it is stamped on their hands! I have just about given in and done everything for them, BUT if I go to that extreme they know I'll even be picking out their clothes!!! So, they have been doing a little better about not forgeting things. I only had to drive to the school twice last week and not at all so far this week!
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Apr 18, 2007, 10:54am EDT
typical teen both of mine are like that. Even the 18 year old will call and say can you bring my project to school I for got it. Ugg he had only known about the due date for weeks :( . one more month and he will be Graduating I wonder if he will be calling me from work and college to bring him things
jessie voigts Apr 20, 2007, 10:42am EDT
that is so crazy. see what i have to look forward to? yikes!
barb w. May 13, 2007, 10:06pm EDT
They have alot of distractions for sure.
Marty S. May 29, 2007, 4:35pm EDT
Once they graduate and are out of the house, hopefully, they won't continue to call asking you to bring them things. But it is so convenient to have cell phones that enable parents and children to stay in touch.
gaelyn k. Jun 8, 2007, 6:01pm EDT
Yes the on going dilema. Is one being a good mother or are we allowing them to be overly self-centered. I guess the best clue is will it all matter in ten years. If not forget it and if it will make sure that is where you want to go.
Tarhead Mugwump Jun 17, 2007, 3:23pm EDT
i don't think that it is a memory thing as much as a priority thing...

remember to get ready for picture?
remember snacks?

hmm...

i think that kids at that age are two things in particular, one of "of the moment" and the other is me, me, me...

so, i vote normal...
Angie K. Jun 29, 2007, 10:43pm EDT
I have a teenager too. He often forgets his instrument, gym clothes, assignments that he forgets to print. I don't think any teenager is any different. I have a twelve yr old that I hope never changes into that teenage-absent-minded monster. My son has a cell phone too which I thought was a good idea until I started getting calls saying he forgot this or that. I now make him go to the office to call me......that makes him hestiate to call me. They would rather go without than make a trip. oh-yeah and he's become more lazy! Teenagers - this is why they make them so cute when their born, because by the time they are teens we are to attached. GOOD LUCK!
Heather P. Aug 11, 2007, 11:53pm EDT
I don't think that you meant for this to be as funny as it is!

Sorry that I think it is hilarious
andrew c. Aug 21, 2007, 2:24am EDT
pretty normal
Sammie B. Aug 26, 2007, 1:02pm EDT
Heh, speaking as a teenager, yes, we are quite forgetful. xD I'm usually very good at remembering things, so my parents can tell when I'm especially stressed because I'll start forgetting everything and it drives them insane.
Allana G. Sep 1, 2007, 2:43pm EDT
I have two teens. They are both forgetful. Good luck. My oldest is 17 and I see no end in sight!!!! ;-)
Megan H. Oct 19, 2007, 11:49pm EDT
yeah I totally remember that kind of thing happening to me too! My mom was big on canning all kinds of fruits and veggies. Every single year - tons of canning. She'd send me down to the pantry some nights at dinner time to get a jar of peaches or something. I'd come back upstairs empty handed and she'd ask me where the jar of peaches was. I'd say something really intelligent like, "we don't have any". Well, we've never ever ever ever, run out of peaches. So, she'd go and get them herself. I've never heard the end of this. :) Now, I'm the one with soon to be teenagers.
M.K. Mueller Nov 11, 2007, 8:55pm EST
I taught high school for 5 years. Teenagers and definitely an amusing breed.
Sherine W. Nov 16, 2007, 11:46pm EST
Yes, teenagers are forgetful...they often have SO MUCH on their plates, and they are not very good at multi-tasking yet. Since it was a special day, it was very kind of you to go to the extra effort to help her, and I'm sure she appreciated it. If it became a habit, though, I think I would let her suffer the consequences for her forgetfulness from time to time just to help her become more responsible. But be sure to remember that forgetfulness is not disobedience or even purposeful, it is just immaturity. We all forget things from time to time.
Michelle C. Dec 12, 2007, 4:06pm EST
LOL... Forgotten? Does she have a LD? Perhqps? Hmmm... Either she had honestly forgtten or either she just was talking to her friends? haha!
Michelle C. Dec 12, 2007, 4:07pm EST
I totally agree with Sherine. ;)
Michelle C. Dec 12, 2007, 4:10pm EST
Sammie- I agree with Sammie, when I had a lot on my plate or was stressed due to homework, or everything I had that needed to be done- I'd forget the smallest things (the bag of chips and soda) and would remember the assignment book and homework, but yet where is my soda? Awwww man! All that work for nothing I'd think and I'd get so angry with myself and disappointed with myself that I felt worthless like I just would forget smallest stuff and then my mom would get upset : MICHELLE!!! How many times are you gonna forget? It made me upset -- very upset with myself. I felt like a disappointment to everyone due to all my forgetfullness and staying organized was very hard for me when I always had a lot of expectations ahead of me (tests, finals, getting points in class for prizes), extra credit, a birthday card or gift for a friend, etc.
Kelly M. Mar 16, 2008, 4:57am EDT
My teens forget EVERYTHING!
strongthrufight E. Jun 11, 2008, 10:29am EDT
I think just turning 9 turned my daughter's brain to mush, I can't imagine her as a teen, that was awful nice of you to drive 6miles with gas prices as they are
Ashley R. Mar 2, 2009, 2:26pm EST
That reminds me of me when I was young! My 9 year old is insanely absent minded as well... I was hoping growing older would help ~ guess I was wrong!

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