Here's what no one tells parents about raising teenagers
There's a very specific moment, somewhere around Year 8, when a child's bedroom transforms. One day, it's a normal room. The next it's a foggy microclimate of its own, heavy with an aroma that says: I have been sweating, living, snacking, and possibly dying in here.
I used to think the 'teenage smell' was an exaggeration. Then I opened my kid's door and my nostrils packed my bags, and walked out.
A smell with layers
There are layers to it. First comes the base note of damp sports uniforms shoved into the corner 'to deal with later.' Add a middle note of socks that haven't seen daylight since the Taylor Swift Eras tour started. Then there's the top note – a sharp, mysterious tang that you know is coming from a mug of something that started life as Milo.
On the other end of the spectrum is the scent we'll call Eau de Trying Too Hard: litres of body spray, hair products, and skincare sprayed with such determination that even the dog sneezes.
5 No one ever tells you that one day, the biggest challenge in parenting won't be homework battles or curfews – it will be breathing through your nose.
Vibe Images – stock.adobe.com
And if you think it's bad at home? Try being in a car with them after training. Driving home from sports days with your head hanging out the window like a Labrador is a real thing.
Teachers have seen things
I asked my friends who teach high school what an average summer afternoon is like in their classroom.
One said: 'By the end of the day, it's like a mix between a gym bag, a sandwich shop, and a Lynx factory explosion. I stand near the window and hope I make it out alive.'
5 'By the end of the day, it's like a mix between a gym bag, a sandwich shop, and a Lynx factory explosion. I stand near the window and hope I make it out alive,' high school teachers say.
Golib Tolibov – stock.adobe.com
Another told me that whenever someone opens their backpack, there's a moment of fear.
Underneath the pong
'You never know what's coming out – yesterday's lunch? A forgotten art project made out of milk cartons? There's always a squished banana.'
It would be easy to make this an 'ugh, teenagers' story. But here's the truth: the smell is the least important thing happening in that room.
5 The smell is the least important thing happening in that room, some have said.
Satjawat – stock.adobe.com
Here's the thing: it's not their fault. Their bodies are working overtime. Hormones, growth spurts, sport, school – it's a perfect storm. And like the breakouts and the grunts, the smell is just another stage.
Because behind that closed door is a person in the middle of the most awkward, exciting, infuriating, incredible transformation of their life.
The truth is, if you can get past the whiff, there's a lot to love about teens.
The other part no one warns you about
What really knocks the air out of your lungs is not the smell. It's the sudden realisation that they don't need you as much anymore.
The bedtime cuddles vanish. Long conversations are replaced by mumbles. They disappear into their room for hours, and when they emerge, you feel like you need a translator just to find out what's going on in their head.
5 Because behind that closed door is a teenager in the middle of the most awkward, exciting, infuriating, incredible transformation of their life.
wayhome.studio – stock.adobe.com
And just when you think you've been completely shut out, they give you a moment.
It might be a dumb joke that makes you both laugh so hard you cry. Or a hug out of nowhere. Or a story about their day that makes you stop and think, 'Wow, you're turning into someone amazing.'
That's the payoff.
A phase that stinks (literally)
Parenting a teenager is standing in the middle of that smell, windows open, heart wide, hoping you're doing enough.
5 Parenting a teenager is standing in the middle of that smell, windows open, heart wide, hoping you're doing enough.
Gregory Johnston – stock.adobe.com
It's hard. It's funny. It's wonderful. And it's fleeting.
One day the smell will fade. They'll move out, take their gym bag and their body spray, and the house will smell like fresh air again.
And, ridiculous as it sounds, we'll probably walk past that empty room and wish we could breathe it all in just one more time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
28 Dresses With Pricetags That'll Make You Want To Twirl All Day Long
A ruffled dress that'll make you want to crank up Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" and have yourself a twirly dance partaaaaay! A mini dress because, obviously, your closet will demand you add some new styles into the mix for summer. (We simply do not care if it's a cliche!) This one is casual, cinched, and will look fabulous with your fave pair of sandals. A smocked bodycon dress with tiers that'll rival the decadent wedding cake at the summertime affair you're planning to attend next month. A dress you'll find yourself daydreaming about, thanks to its fabulous puff sleeves and ruffled hem. Reviewers praise it for being comfy, stretchy, making a fantastic option for pregnancy and beyond! A pleated off-the-shoulder dress featuring a lovely lightweight chiffon material — you'll feel like you're floating whether you wear it on vacation or to one of the many summer weddings you have on your calendar. A maxi dress with boho vibes and a dainty lil' ribbon bow that'll give off the impression you *totally* have always known how to dress nicely. No need to give anyone the satisfaction of knowing the truth is you rely on these BuzzFeed lists to guide the way. A one-shouldered beauty with a flowing tiered skirt you can count on to make you look picture-perfect when you pose for a pic holding your first Aperol Spritz of the season. A pretty pleated option that'll have you singing, "I know I have good judgment, I know I have good taste," a la Sabrina Carpenter when you catch your reflection in your floor-length mirror. A darling dress you'd likely find pictured when Googling the phrase "tea party attire." It has everything you'd want in a dress: puffy sleeves, a delicate bow to tie in the back, a chic square neckline, and POCKETS. A trendy denim dress, because your summertime wardrobe shouldn't be limited to only skirts and shorts. You can layer this one with your fave tees or long sleeves to adapt to the ever-changing seasonal temperatures. A tiger-print dress that might remind you a bit of The White Lotus season three opening credits (don't get me started on the theme song change). If you want to add some *drama* to your wardrobe instead of your social circle, this seems like a good buy. A flowy midi dress starring puff sleeves, a ruffled hemline, and a bow at the back that'll make you feel like running through a field of flowers while singing "the hiiiillllllssss are aliiiiiiiiiiive!" A flowy maxi featuring tied straps that'll add just a little extra *somethin' somethin'* to your go-to style. Your closet will applaud you when you bring this beauty home. A belted ruffled dress for anyone who feels most fabulous when they get to wear a 2-for-1 option. 😉 Go on, girl, strut your stuff! Mix and match! Live your best life! A sleeveless fit-and-flare dress with an elegant sweetheart neckline you'll love so much you'll wonder if that wish you recently made upon a star has come true in the form of this outfit. A mini dress with playful puffy sleeves you'll want to snag in every style and then promptly make a bunch of brunch plans so you can show each one off. A one-shouldered dress featuring a ruffled accent that'll certainly steal the show — you know that moment in a rom-com when the lead makes her big debut and slowly walks down a grand staircase? This is THE dress for that moment. A faux-wrap midi you won't be able to resist adding to your cart after you envision yourself slipping into it, packing a picture-perfect picnic basket, and surprising your partner with the cutest day date. A tie-back mini dress with lantern sleeves you can count on to help you find "True Love" or, at the very least, someone who has as many lovable layers as Shrek. (Ogres are like onions, in case you've forgotten.) A darling halter option you'll likely want in a variety of the 37 (!!!) fabulous prints it's available in — good luck trying not to twirl everywhere you go in this beauty. A pinafore dress complete with suspenders that'll look darling over a blouse or simple white tee and give you the Alice in Wonderland vibes you've always envied. A tea dress covered with delicate flowers for anyone who has always wished they could pop into a Jane Austen novel for a bit — can't you imagine donning this beauty to casually stroll the grounds with a book in hand? A pastel maxi dress with puffy sleeves that'll make you feel like you're the lead in a classic fairy tale that starts with "Once upon a time, there was a fabulously dressed maiden." A square-neck balloon-sleeve dress tons of reviewers have worn during some of the most memorable moments of their lives — baby showers, engagements, holiday photos, weddings, graduation, The Eras Tour, Walt Disney World, Top Golf. (The important things!) A midi dress with an elegant drop waist situation that'll make you feel like royalty despite costing less than $50. I dare you *not* to twirl after checking yourself out in the mirror. An open-back beauty you'll feel absolutely regal in whether you wear it to a dinner date or for a stroll at the park. The ruffles at the bottom are simply *everything*. A button-up shirtdress that'll make you look extremely put together even if, in reality, you've already dropped your coffee immediately after buying it and locked yourself out of your apartment. And a smocked midi dress that looks very similar to the iconic (albeit pricier) Hill House Nap Dress. It was clearly designed with frolicking in flower-filled fields in mind — just imagine it fanning out around you while you skip and twirl through some picturesque sunflowers.
Elle
6 days ago
- Elle
Taylor Swift Keeps Wearing This Belt Brand - And So Do All Your Favorite Celebrities
When Travis Kelce went Instagram official with Taylor Swift last week, eagle-eyed fans everywhere zoomed in for a closer look at that phone background. I, on the other hand, clocked a different detail. Taylor was wearing B-Low the Belt yet again. This belt brand isn't new to fashion insiders. In fact, it's been featured in the glossy pages of ELLE Magazine on several occasions. But as more style stars step out in B-Low the Belt (and as Swift continues to don her ever-growing collection), I figured it was time to let you in on the industry secret. As I said, it really is one of Taylor Swift's go-to accessories that she reaches for time and time again. She's been photographed wearing at least three different styles. Selena Gomez, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Sydney Sweeney, Sofia Richie Grainge, Florence Pugh, Charli XCX, and Alix Earle are also fans of the woman-owned brand. I'll own up to the fact that I'm not much of a belt wearer, but even I can recognize the transformative power of a good-quality belt. One quick cinch of the waist, and your look is completely elevated. And you and I both know—when Swift does something, the world will follow suit. The Los Angeles-based brand is shoppable online, at Revolve. Below, browse my curated edit of the best styles to shop now. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Meg (she/her) is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named 'Best Affiliated Magazine' in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg's stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper's Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
New York Post
29-07-2025
- New York Post
Here's what no one tells parents about raising teenagers
No one ever tells you that one day, the biggest challenge in parenting won't be homework battles or curfews – it will be breathing through your nose. There's a very specific moment, somewhere around Year 8, when a child's bedroom transforms. One day, it's a normal room. The next it's a foggy microclimate of its own, heavy with an aroma that says: I have been sweating, living, snacking, and possibly dying in here. I used to think the 'teenage smell' was an exaggeration. Then I opened my kid's door and my nostrils packed my bags, and walked out. A smell with layers There are layers to it. First comes the base note of damp sports uniforms shoved into the corner 'to deal with later.' Add a middle note of socks that haven't seen daylight since the Taylor Swift Eras tour started. Then there's the top note – a sharp, mysterious tang that you know is coming from a mug of something that started life as Milo. On the other end of the spectrum is the scent we'll call Eau de Trying Too Hard: litres of body spray, hair products, and skincare sprayed with such determination that even the dog sneezes. 5 No one ever tells you that one day, the biggest challenge in parenting won't be homework battles or curfews – it will be breathing through your nose. Vibe Images – And if you think it's bad at home? Try being in a car with them after training. Driving home from sports days with your head hanging out the window like a Labrador is a real thing. Teachers have seen things I asked my friends who teach high school what an average summer afternoon is like in their classroom. One said: 'By the end of the day, it's like a mix between a gym bag, a sandwich shop, and a Lynx factory explosion. I stand near the window and hope I make it out alive.' 5 'By the end of the day, it's like a mix between a gym bag, a sandwich shop, and a Lynx factory explosion. I stand near the window and hope I make it out alive,' high school teachers say. Golib Tolibov – Another told me that whenever someone opens their backpack, there's a moment of fear. Underneath the pong 'You never know what's coming out – yesterday's lunch? A forgotten art project made out of milk cartons? There's always a squished banana.' It would be easy to make this an 'ugh, teenagers' story. But here's the truth: the smell is the least important thing happening in that room. 5 The smell is the least important thing happening in that room, some have said. Satjawat – Here's the thing: it's not their fault. Their bodies are working overtime. Hormones, growth spurts, sport, school – it's a perfect storm. And like the breakouts and the grunts, the smell is just another stage. Because behind that closed door is a person in the middle of the most awkward, exciting, infuriating, incredible transformation of their life. The truth is, if you can get past the whiff, there's a lot to love about teens. The other part no one warns you about What really knocks the air out of your lungs is not the smell. It's the sudden realisation that they don't need you as much anymore. The bedtime cuddles vanish. Long conversations are replaced by mumbles. They disappear into their room for hours, and when they emerge, you feel like you need a translator just to find out what's going on in their head. 5 Because behind that closed door is a teenager in the middle of the most awkward, exciting, infuriating, incredible transformation of their life. – And just when you think you've been completely shut out, they give you a moment. It might be a dumb joke that makes you both laugh so hard you cry. Or a hug out of nowhere. Or a story about their day that makes you stop and think, 'Wow, you're turning into someone amazing.' That's the payoff. A phase that stinks (literally) Parenting a teenager is standing in the middle of that smell, windows open, heart wide, hoping you're doing enough. 5 Parenting a teenager is standing in the middle of that smell, windows open, heart wide, hoping you're doing enough. Gregory Johnston – It's hard. It's funny. It's wonderful. And it's fleeting. One day the smell will fade. They'll move out, take their gym bag and their body spray, and the house will smell like fresh air again. And, ridiculous as it sounds, we'll probably walk past that empty room and wish we could breathe it all in just one more time.
