Why Dogs are Better Than Teens

I recently wrote an article about why dogs are better than babies. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, you can read about it right here. 

Now that I am out of babyhood and dealing with two sons on the verge of being a teenager, I wanted to add more to my story. Teenagers are very challenging, and parents have to have patience in spades. 

So, why are dogs better than teenagers? Here are plenty of reasons!

Dogs, unlike teenagers, will always be happy to see you. It doesn't matter if you just left the room or have been gone for hours. Your beloved dog is going to be excited to see you. Your teenager, not so much! You may or may not even get a hello! 

In fact, they love to spend time with you! It doesn't matter if you want to go outside for a walk or you want to cuddle on the couch, your dog will be happy to do whatever you want. You can watch a sappy movie where you cry, and they won't care. Teenagers prefer to spend time with their friends and their phones! 

They are much cheaper than teenagers! Though you may be overwhelmed by the cost of dog food and veterinary visits, it is much more affordable than having a teenager. Your teenager may be in multiple activities, which can really add up. Uniforms and supplies aren't cheap. 

If they go to school dances, they will need new clothes for each event. Then, there are costs associated with those as they start driving. If your teenager is interested in college or a trade school, there are test and application fees. All of this can add up! 

Dogs keep their feelings to themselves, except when they attempt to show you how much they love you! Teenagers aren't afraid to say whatever comes into their heads. They are quick to tell you that you shouldn't wear that out in public. They will judge you, and tell you exactly how they feel about you and what you are doing. In fact, most teenagers will tell you how much you are ruining their lives at least once. Some say that at least once a week or even once a day!

Dogs won't ever roll their eyes at you. Teenagers will roll their eyes at you regularly! Your dog will be just happy to be spending time with you.

The teenager years can be some of the most challenging years when it comes to parenting. They don't want to spend any time with you, and they can be downright rude with their comments. They don't have any filters so if you don't look good, they are going to be quick to tell you. 

They are also very expensive. Not only does it cost a lot to feed a growing teenager, the truth is that there are regular expenses when it comes to raising teenagers. There are activities, uniforms, and other costs. If your teenager starts driving, there are plenty of expenses there. Then, there are college and trade school expenses. 

That being said, you may want to get a dog instead of raising your teenager. They are always happy to see you and spend time with you. They don't cost as much, and they definitely won't tell you that you look fat! 

However, if you are deep in the trenches of raising teenagers, just stick to it. It will get better, and you may be surprised at the relationship that you have with your young adult child.

***

Previously published on Medium and/or Newsbreak.