what i've learned so far raising a teenager

i'm only a few years into the teen years but, i think i've learned quite a bit. here goes in really no specific order: the teen that wakes up in the morning isn't always the same teen by lunch or even breakfast. the moods are like roller coasters, DAILY! for as many years as you have been on this earth and the life lessons you feel you have learned, they know more than you do! in their eyes, you were born an adult, you were never a teen nor did you experience anything that they may be going through. thirty, is OLD! the 80-90's was another lifetime. the things you may think are not an issue, maybe a bad hair day, a outfit your not really crazy about, that is LIFE ENDING to a teen. no matter how cool,hip or really together you think you are, you may like the same music as your teen, wear fashionable styles of clothes, have a great hair cut, to the teen YOUR NOT COOL! don't try to sing along to their music, it makes them nuts to think their parent listens to the same music as they do.they love to take pictures of themselves and to check themselves out in the mirror so don't even waste your breath! probably the the most important thing i've learned, the thing that above all else the fear of EMBARRASSMENT! don't think that i don't use the "E" word to keep miss teen in line too, i do when ever i can. i figure i'm about half way with miss teen and a lot more prepared for the little man to follow! every day is different and there is NEVER a dull moment. just wanted to share.