Being a teenager is like riding a wild roller coaster—one moment you’re soaring with excitement, and the next, you’re plunging into frustration. It’s a time of change, self-discovery, and independence. For teens, it’s about finding their own identity, often away from their parents.
For parents, it’s about navigating this tricky transition, balancing between giving freedom and setting boundaries.
This clash can lead to heated moments, eye rolls, and lots of slammed doors. But every tough moment is also a chance for parents and teens to grow together. Here’s a story from a mom who found herself caught in one of those tough moments with her teenage son—and decided to teach him a lesson in a way he’d never forget.
The Challenge of Embarrassment
For one mom, the challenges of parenting a teenager started around two years ago when her son, now 14, began pulling away. “At first, we thought it was just a phase,” she shared. “But it’s only gotten worse. Now, he avoids being seen with us like we’re the weirdest people on Earth.”
It started small. Her son would ask them to drop him off a little farther from school or avoid waving at him during his sports games. But over time, his embarrassment turned into outright avoidance.
“He tells us not to come to his games, not to park near his friends, and to let him walk into places alone. It’s like he doesn’t even want to acknowledge we exist sometimes.”
One recent incident really stung. “I drove 40 minutes to pick him up from a school event,” the mom recalled. “When I got there, he made me wait a block away so no one would see him getting into my car. When he finally came, he blushed and waited for all his friends to leave before hopping in. Then he just said, ‘Drive.’ I was so hurt.”
Teaching Him a Lesson
After years of feeling dismissed, the mom decided it was time to take action. “I’ve told him how his behavior makes us feel, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. Enough was enough. I needed to get creative.”
One evening, the perfect opportunity arose. Her son needed a new t-shirt for an event, and she agreed to drive him to the store. But this time, she had a plan. “While driving, I suddenly said, ‘Duck!’ and pushed his head down, pretending to hide him. I told him I didn’t want anyone to see me with him because I was ‘embarrassed.’”
When they arrived at the store, she turned things up a notch. “I hurried inside and told him to hang back so no one would see us together. He looked at me like I’d lost my mind, but I kept at it.”
Her son quickly caught on. “He asked me, ‘How does it feel to be treated that way?’ And when I pressed him, he admitted, ‘Not good.’ That was the first time he seemed to really understand how his actions had been affecting us.”
Taking It Further
The next day, she decided to drive the lesson home. “I took him to get a bus pass and told him I didn’t want to drive him anymore. At the office, I made a scene—loudly saying I was embarrassed to be seen with him and making him stand by the door quietly. He was mortified.”
Although she felt a bit guilty, the mom believed this tough-love approach was necessary. “I think he’s starting to understand, but I’m not sure yet. It’s been nearly two years of this behavior, and I’m worn out.”
A Divided Response
When she shared her story with her sister, the response was anything but supportive. “She was livid,” the mom admitted. “She thinks it’s just a phase he’ll grow out of and that I’m being too harsh. But after two years of feeling dismissed, I needed to do something to show him how his actions affect us.”
The mom turned to others for advice. “What do you think?” she asked. “Was I too extreme, or does he need to learn how his behavior impacts others?”
Walking in Each Other’s Shoes
This mom’s story is a reminder of how tricky the parent-teen relationship can be. Her approach may seem bold, but sometimes, the best way to teach empathy is to let someone experience it firsthand.
As one parenting expert noted, “Teens need to test boundaries as they grow, but they also need to learn that respect is a two-way street. Sometimes, these moments are where real understanding begins.”
For the mom, the ultimate goal was to reconnect with her son and help him see their side. “I love my son,” she said. “I just want him to know we’re here to support him—and that we deserve his respect, too.”
What do you think about this mom’s approach? Was she right to teach her son a lesson, or should she have handled things differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
