RANT: I hate my teenager

Been there done that! I understand your frustration. Reallly? "You raised him it's your fault" and "I hate my teenager"
if either of these statements were remotely true I doubt you would be on here venting about your concern over the lack of ambition your " hated" teen has. Come on people really? Cut this mom some slack. She obvisously loves her kid and is trying to do a good job. So what if the hate word was used. It's just describing her intense frustration for a situation and kid that she obviously cares a great deal about.

Some parents have kids that go with the flow and some don't. My parents raised me and my sister and two grandaughters. Parenting skills the same...yet 4 different outcomes.

My two cents. Have faith in your parenting skills, be consistent and stick to your guns. Might need to let him stumble some to realize how much he really does have it made. Being a parent is hard sh**. I have four. I was really worried about my son...same thing, lazy just wanted to play and have fun. He signed up for the AF right after High School and he's on his fourth year considering training in another field to broaden his experience. Definately not the same chip eating, teenage Halo player that was in my living room 4 years ago!

Don't doubt yourself momma. You obvisously care about your kid. It will come in time. I will never forget the phone call my son made to me after he was gone for about a year, having to pay bills and follow rules on his own. He then knew that everything I had done and tried to encourage him to do was because I loved and wanted nothing but the best for him. That phone call was one that I will never forget. Sometimes when I struggle with my 17 and 15 yo...I think back and know that I am doing a good job. Hang in there! It's all for the greater good!

Just because someone doesn't have ambition to do great things doesn't mean they are a dumbass. I have know many smart people who didn't have ambition. Some people are content with the lives they have and don't need material things.

Apartment living is not a bad thing. Sure it's nice to own a home but it isn't for everyone. A great job isn't for everyone either. Some people enjoy their lower end jobs.

Agreed. My brother is the 'Target Cop" and make a measly $10 n hour but absolutely LOVES his job. He gets to sneak around all day spying on shoppers and has a ton of fun doing it. Plus he gets to bust people who steal.

I don't aspire to have anything crazy or be outrageously wealthy. I just want to be content. If I was single with no kids, I would be content in a little apartment too.

I understand your frustration. I get you hate his choices and not him. Sometimes in frustration we say something harsh without meaning the literal sense of "I hate...". That's just human nature. I can appreciate your need to vent and looking for some support. I sort of thought that's what MFP was about, but clearly others cannot break away from their need to judge.

People don't have any idea what kind of parent you are or what your road has been like with your son. So, to make it sound like you didn't do a bang up job of raising him is ignorant. Until you walk in someone elses' shoes...

At some point, and certainly by age 18, we should be responsible for our own actions, regardless what kind of upbringing we have. Sounds like he has some growing to do. He will get there, mom. This is his time to learn by making his own mistakes. Nothing you can do, but love him enough to allow him to fall. Sometimes that is the only way to teach or for him to learn.

Let the negative comments roll.

Hang in there - Stay strong, mom. Only you know your son best.