How a Preteen can Drive You Nuts in Only One Day

Step One: When told to clean the basement after their party (IF you are already crazy enough to let them invite 11 friends over), they only pick up 5 things per time you tell them to do it.

Step Two: When preparing for a walk to the ponds for an afternoon of fishing, the hover impatiently. Their response to being told that they can go ahead and walk over if they'd like is, "No offense, but I'll wait because I don't want Bugger Butt to go with me."

Step Three: To allow them their independence, you allow them to fish in a separate location than everyone else. While passing them on a quick walk with the dog, they say that they're ready to leave and you remind them that the door is locked and they'll need to go grab the key from your bag. They pack up and leave without the key and then text or call every 5 minutes for the rest of your fishing trip because they are locked out of the house.

Step Four: When someone else at dinner compliments the rice they speak up to say, "No offense, but the rice really has no flavor at all."

Step Five: When it is discovered that they are missing 3 assignments in Language Arts, they inform you that you really should have been tougher on them about their grades this year.

Step Six: After completing the above assignments, the proceed to take their dessert downstairs which is clearly forbidden. When comfronted, they say that its not fair because Bugger Butt's friend took food down there last week. (Bugger Butt and his friend were reprimanded for their actions in front of the pre-teen.)

There you have it folks, six ways that a preteen can drive you nuts in one day. Is it bedtime yet? I'm really not looking forward to step seven!