So the teen has returned from his three+ week stint at his Dad's house, since the day he turned 13. I haven't had the opportunity to experience more episodes of
I am Teen, Hear Me Roar
…until now! It's only a faint roar, but something I've experienced over the past few years.
Scenario
Pre-teen/Teen is hungry. Single mom has not yet FULLY exposed her son to the good ole' days of making your own sandwich or preparing your own microwave meal, much less the actual stove/oven. Mom is home, so why not whine until she caters to me. She does it.
Well, a colleague of mine recently taught me a bit about "motivating" the youngin'. It started with the sudden unwillingness to eat leftovers. My colleague advised me to respond with "You can eat again, when I make something new." By no means am I depriving my son of food (he ends up eating the leftovers or prepping some Ramen Noodles or a sandwich). He just doesn't care for the selection, nor does he have any desire to make his own food when I can do it for him.
This has to stop now!
On his first day back, he immediately announced his hunger status. (The Real Hunger Games? A new reality TV show?). I presented a list of options and he has yet to take action. Prior to his 13th birthday, he exercised the same pattern of "I will not eat until you make me something". Well, 3-4-5 o'clock rolls around and I start to get worried, as any mother would. Granted, it's summer and he wakes up at between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., I still freak out a little bit.
So, here I am freaking out because he's been home for 2 hours and hasn't heated up the pizza we just got yesterday. Is he waiting for me to press the buttons for him? It's one night, for Goodness Sake, that I ask you to make your own meal, especially since you told me at 5 o'clock you were coming home tonight. We just talked yesterday!
This is the part where you can help!
Without enabling my TEEN to be reliant on someone else as an adult, what are some handy, healthy snacks to have around the house or better yet what are some teen-friendly recipes he can make using REAL kitchen equipment without me freaking out about potential house fires and stuff? When I was 13, I could make a full meal by myself. I don't want to starve the poor kid (he's NOT starving by the way), but I also want to slowly encourage him to learn how to be semi-self-sufficient by teaching him real life cooking skills suitable for a teen.
By the way, he seems to be a few inches taller. He's definitely crept up past 5'4".
7 Days Left 
24 Days Left 
Twitter: e1ght30
Awww, I remember when James and Nicholas used to make meals together! I think Nicky misses what we had as a full-nest!! I know I do! Love ya, Momma Say What!
Melissa: Here are some healthy snacks you can consider: fresh fruit, granola, dried fruit, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, roma tomatoes (tomatoes are good for the prostate) , cheese. He's a boy, boys like gadgets. Do you have a small sandwich griddle? waffle maker? You can keep pre made batter in the fridge. Buy cookie dough, he can make them himself. Buy biscuits and small hot dogs, he can wrap and bake those. Before you shop, get his opinion on healthy snack food options. Keep box jello and pudding around, your brother was always making that himself. Usually when people are able to have input on their choices they are more apt to run with the idea, instead of everyone just telling them. You could eventually go as far as letting him find an easy recipe once a week on the internet and letting him cook and you be the assistant. Remember when he was James' assistant and they made dinner and served us once a week? It's quality-fun time.
I'm confident you'll eventually figure it out. Remember what your dad taught you to get you to do things?
Love
Mommasaywhat