Personal Growth Web

Live, learn, grow, share

  • Home
  • About
  • Contribute

Home » Personal Growth » Relationships » 5 Comebacks to Floor Your Brat Teenager

5 Comebacks to Floor Your Brat Teenager

March 23, 2017 by Tyler Clark Leave a Comment

Mother and Teenage Daughter

You’ve probably heard your teen yell, “leave me alone!” a time or two. I guess we should get used to being to being despised for a while. Parenting emotional teens is a hard job! Especially as we’re trying to remain present, with open lines of communication. A study by the Council of Economic Advisers found that teens who have poor relationships with their parents are more likely to smoke, drink, abuse drugs and engage in sexual behavior. Yikes! Guess we better figure this thing out.

Having a bit of humor is key to keeping your sanity while parenting. Laughing about the struggle will bring you much-needed stress relief. If you are looking for ways to laugh your way through the treacherous teenage years, having a repertoire of comebacks is just the thing. Here are six one-liners that will catch your teen off guard. They might even elicit a laugh or two!

1. “Only boring people are bored.”

There’s no doubt that summer break is prime time for the “I’m bored” complaints. Do they think you’re going take them to Six Flags if they complain enough? Knowing all the things you’ve purchased for their enjoyment are sitting idly by can add to feelings of annoyance as your kids exclaim they have nothing to do. Tell them it isn’t your job to entertain them. Even better, suggest a list of ways they can help you around the house if they’re really itching for some activity. I’m sure that’ll spark some creative ideas. 

2. “It’s my job to make sure you don’t end up stupid.”

As spouted by our super hero, TV mom Tami Taylor. Tami is the fearless matriarch of hit show “Friday Night Lights”. She’s got motherly traits we all want. She’s kind, fair, patient, loving, and smoking hot. Tami drops this bomb on the show’s resident slacker when he lies about reading The Scarlet Letter, telling her that it is a book about a gal named Scarlet… 

Mother and teenage daughter on the phone

3. “Perfect, now I don’t have to _________.”

This another winning retort because it works under most circumstances. When your kid says they hate the junky car you bought them for their 16th birthday, you can share with them your relief that you no longer have to supply them a vehicle. Or when they tell you how much they hate what you made for dinner, say “Perfect, more for me and Dad!” Sure, your teen deserves a few options in life, but you’re not a bad mom for not granting their every wish. You’re a strong mom; a boundary setting mom!

4. “You are allowed to hate me, but you are still not allowed to go out tonight.”

Another great way to stump that stubborn teen is to grant them permission to throw their fit. It shows that their insults aren’t going to change the trajectory of your day and your plans. Sometimes no reaction is the best reaction! Plus, it ends the argument. There is no more argument once you’ve both reached the same conclusion!

5. “Well, I love you anyways!”

This comeback is all about deadpan delivery. Use this when your teen is especially vial. Look them straight in the eye with a sweet smile and tell them you love ’em. They’ll feel awful when they feel your sincerity. Or they ‘ll pick up on your sarcasm and do one of two things: explode in sheer frustration or crack a smile. It all sounds like a win to me. 

All things considered, parenting is mostly a game of will power and wits. You need to be one step ahead of your teen. Have a game plan for how you’ll react when things go south. Most importantly, knowing your attitude is under control is the best tool you have when combating your hormone crazed teen.

If all else fails, turn to the serenity prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (my teenager’s attitude); The courage to change the things I can (my attitude); And the wisdom to know the difference. You’ve got this.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Related

Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: behavior, family, how to, parenting, wellbeing

Avatar of Tyler Clark

About Tyler Clark

Tyler Clark is a proud father, husband, writer and outreach specialist with experience helping parents and organizations that help troubled teen boys. Tyler has focused on helping through honest advice and humor on: modern day parenting, struggles in school, the impact of social media, addiction, mental disorders, and issues facing teenagers now.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Primary Sidebar

Subscribe by Email




    Free Yourself!

    In the Outback with Jasmine Banks by Ronit Baras

    A story of personal liberation that will make you get up and own your life.

    Find Out More »

    Categories

    • Global Village
    • Learning
    • Living & Lifestyle
    • Personal Growth
    • Relationships

    Look Deep into Yourself

    Reflections by Ronit Baras

    A story of realizations about life and death, pain and pleasure, bringing to light the inner truth of our existence.

    Find Out More »

    Tags

    behavior beliefs change choice emotional intelligence failure fear focus happiness health how to inspiration life coaching lifestyle motivation parenting personal development stress success wellbeing

    What’s Important to You?

    The Will by Ronit Baras

    Do you live by your priorities? When was the last time you really thought about this?

    Find Out More »

    More For You

    • Be Happy in LIFE Coaching
    • Family Matters Parenting Blog

    Stop Fighting with Your Kids!

    Motivating Kids by Ronit Baras

    Get your essential guide to motivating kids (and teens).

    Find Out More »

    Give Your Teens Confidence

    Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers by Ronit Baras

    8 stories about common problems teenagers have, with real solutions and practical strategies for coping with the pressures teens face on their path to adulthood

    Find Out More »

    Footer

    • About
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Sitemap

    Copyright © 2025 Be Happy in LIFE · Powered by Get Business Online Consulring

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
    • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn