I’m a very sarcastic person. Can’t help it. And if my children are any indication, sarcasm is genetic. Or we wouldn’t have conversations like this one:
Me: I know X girlfriend has much older sisters and I don’t want you drinking alcohol or smoking just because they do it.
My 14-year-old daughter: I won’t. X girlfriend and I will be doing Heroine instead.
Oy!
And later that night when I call to wish her a Happy New Year:
Me: Is that a boy I hear in the background?
My dtr: It’s only X boy and he hates me.
In the background – a male voice: I only hate you because you won’t move over on the bed.
Me: Bed? What bed? The name X boy and the word bed should never be used together in the same sentence. What are you and X boy doing in a bed?
My dtr: We’re having sex, mom. With X girlfriend here and her mother right down the hall.
Me: Get your stuff together, daddy will be there in five minutes.
Okay, I know she’s kidding, but hearing some of the stuff that comes out of my daughter’s mouth gives me the absolute chills – especially over the phone where I can’t see her facial expression and must rely solely on her tone.
So what about you? Do your children ever shoot off sarcasm that makes you do a double take to see if they’re serious? And how do you handle it?
LOL! Your daughter has a great sense of humor. Not one that’s easy on a parent, but too funny none-the-less.
My daughter sense of humor tends more toward the silly than the sarcastic, but she may grow out of the silliness at some point. Though come to think of it, I didn’t.
Wendy, my kids aren’t mine biologically, but they have definitely acquired MY sarcasm. Every time my daughter opens her mouth, I think, “Wow, she sounds just like ME!”
Hi Regina!
My daughter can be silly, too. But she loves to get me going and knows exactly which buttons to push! Gotta love teenagers!
Hi Aimee!
I guess there’s an environmental component to sarcasm, as well. Typically my younger two crack me up with their sarcastic humor. But there are times…
Wendy, you crack me up! I LOVE that your daughter is just like you – funny and sarcastic and super smart! My older son has a wise ass attitude that makes my husband and I fear his older days. The other day when I was yelling at him for something, he just stood there patiently and waited until I stopped. Then he tilted his head up and said, “I guess mean mommy made a visit today. Hello mean mommy.” My mouth dropped open he turned on his heel with a cheeky grin and walked away!
He also makes fun of his parents. One night, I found him in my husband’s chair, with the remote, hand down his pants, and yelling “Come on, The Bachelor is on tv!” OH My God, I was hysterical!
Hi Jen!
Too funny! But it breaks through the anger, right? My son is the best at diffusing my anger. (My husband could learn a thing or two from him!)
Another example of sarcasm:
I just sent a text (I thought to my son) asking if he’d go someplace with his dad tomrrow. I get a text back: I’m a little far away for that. It was from my dtr in college. She couldn’t sent a simple: I think you sent this to the wrong child?
From Twitter:
ssfrigerio Sarah Smith-Frigerio
@ @4badmommies That level of sarcasm exists in our household as well. With the teen, I expected it. When the 9 year old started, I was afraid.
I do not look forward to teen years!!!! 4 year old sarcasm is maddening enough!
Hi Latorsha!
Just wait until your son/daughter starts school! It gives me hope to see so many of my friends have survived parenting through the teen years so I know it can be done. (But I fear I’ll be completely gray before it’s over!)
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, my 19 and 25 year old daughters are so sarcastic, as is my 15 year old son. They always reply they way your daughter did to you just to see/hear a reaction. I’m pretty sure they got it from their dad
Great post!
Hi Diane! And welcome to 4badmommies!
Unfortunately for me, I am certain my children got their sarsacm from me. No getting around it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Your daughter should meet my son.
Me: “What are your plans for tonight?”
Son:”The guys and I thought we would smoke some weed then pick up some hookers”
Ouch!
Thank God they are such good kids that we know it’s sarcasm.
Hi Kelly!
Too funny! So far my daughter is all talk, but I’m keeping an eye on her!
I think it’s the quiet ones you need to watch out for!
Thanks for stopping by!