Just like all the others...

Vern is very much into puberty. Not so much yet on the outside but zowie on the inside. His emotions are all over the place. He is mouthy. He ignores you. He is disrespectful.  Yes, he is 13.

Now I as most parents probably try to curb this bad behavior. I believe those same parents have about as good of results as I do - NILL.

We talk about it. We inflict punishments for poor behavior. We talk about it some more. We dole out more privilege restrictions. Things get better until the restriction is released or the item returned. Then the poor behavior returns.  Can I say frustrating???

How do I know this is typical 13 year old behavior, because our nephew turns 13 this week and he acts the exact same way!!!! He hasn't seen his uncle in months and the first thing he tries to do to him is rack him in the balls!!! After that he is super mean to Uncle and wrestles and fights with him the entire time.  He is rude and mouthy and just like Vern. Hmmm, I see a pattern.

OH PLEASE let this phase pass quickly.  Soon it will be driving. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Altercations with a hormonal sister

Vern's sister Ann is going through her change from girl to woman.

Poor Vern does not have a clue what this entails.  It is not just Vern, most men have no idea that these beautiful, innocent, sweet girls are perfect one day and in the blink of an eye turn evil.  I am talking the Devil himself emerging from these pubecent girls. They all do it. Heck even I remember going through it. It is not pleasant for either side.

The look of pure evil spewing from their eyes.
Their tongues are forked and speak like a serpent.
Their voice boxes emit high pitched squeeling and screaming that can be heard for blocks!
And their fingernails....wow straight from the steelmill and sharp as can be.

Vern found out about all of the above just this week from the sister.

They got into quite an altercation after school the other day. She did not want him following her into the house even though it was only around 20 degress outside. So she tries to prevent him from coming in. Well Vern was having none of that and barges his way into the house.  Here the fury of Lucifer erupts and Ann full out attacks him for entering her domain for no other reason than he must not follow her and NEVER NEVER NEVER touch her in any way.

I get the phone call after and say I will handle it when I get home.
Let's just say I am glad I had instilled the pay-up rule for physical injuries given to each other.  Ann had to pay Vern $5 for leaving marks. His face was all scratched up and bloody.
Plus she hated every single penny she had to give her brother.

Just think only a few more years of living with Satan herself.... I wonder if any of us will survive.