Dr. Wolf: My teens are only nice to me when they want something
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
February 3, 2011
From The Globe and Mail
“Mom, I really like your blouse. It makes you look pretty. Oh, and I have to show you this coat I saw online. It’s so nice. I just have to get it. And it’s on sale. Please? Maybe it’d look good on you, too. We could be like sisters.”
“Oh, all right. I’ll look. But if it’s too much, we’re not going to get it.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re the best mom in the world.”
Teenagers have a maddening propensity for laying on the charm when it suits their purposes, but otherwise are considerably less than cordial.