Lately, I’ve realized that my teenagers think life is one big game show except I never signed up to be the host, and there are definitely no cash prizes for me.
For starters, every request I make turns into a dramatic challenge round.
“Take out the trash.”
Contestant stares blankly, stalling for time.
“Uhhh… what do I get if I do it?”
Wrong answer! BUZZER SOUND.
Then there’s the Speed Round, where they wait until the absolute last second to do something. The bus arrives in three minutes? NOW is the time to find their shoes, make a snack, and remember they need permission slips signed. Watching them scramble should be its own reality show: “Will They Make It?!” Spoiler alert: They usually don’t.
And of course, we can’t forget Teenager Trivia, where they expect me to answer impossible questions at random times.
“Mom, what’s the capital of Latvia?”
“Mom, when will I use algebra in real life?”
“Mom, where’s my hoodie?”
Somehow, I’m supposed to know all of these off the top of my head. Meanwhile, if I ask them where I put my phone, they just shrug and continue their snack-eating challenge.
At the end of the day, I wish I was on an actual game show, preferably one with a free vacation prize. But for now, I’ll just keep playing along, because let’s be honest, these weird, chaotic, hilarious moments are what make parenting so fun.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to prepare for the next round: “Guess That Mysterious Smell in Their Room.”