Parenting teenagers is no joke, especially when they think you’re the enemy. TikToker @itssmarij recently captured the chaotic, funny, and exhausting reality of raising a teen who believes their parents are out to “get them.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@itssmarij/video/7616400764990246157?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
She opens up about a conversation with her teen daughter, who said she “can’t wait to just live on her own.” For @itssmarij, that was a moment of pure parenting panic.
“Teenagers really truly believe that us parents, we’re always out to get them,” she explains in the clip. “Not that we just care about your well-being or want you to be decent human beings—we’re just out to get you. I’m sorry, I’m trying to prepare you for the real world.”
Chores, Responsibility, and Reality
The TikToker goes on to emphasize the importance of household responsibilities, homework, and chores, noting how unrealistic it is for a teen to imagine living independently without handling these tasks.
“This girl says to me, ‘I can’t wait till I just like live on my own.’ You’re what? I can’t wait till you live on your own, so don’t [expletive] do your chores?” she says, clearly exasperated.
She underscores the lesson she wants her teen to internalize: independence comes with responsibilities. Life outside the home requires accountability, and learning that early—even when it feels like parents are being strict—is essential.
Parenting Is a Team Effort
While the video is humorous, @itssmarij also touches on the bigger picture of parenting: raising capable, responsible humans.
“This girl’s gonna raise decent human beings. We’re gonna pull that in this house together, baby,” she says. “You can’t go out in the world thinking that you’re gonna be on your own without having to do chores. The responsibilities are going to be gigantic. I just want you to know that this will be the best.”
Comments Section Reacts
Viewers instantly connected with the post. One user wrote, “yess my siblings!! 😭,” while another shared, “lol your videos make me terrified of my sassy 7-year-old. She’s already like 😳.”
Others reminisced about their own experiences. A commenter noted, “Wait this talk was the talk my mom gave me lol 😂 ahi 😁,” to which @itssmarij replied, “😂 we’re not ok lol.”
Many parents admitted that the teen years are a wild ride. “Ohhh lord—not ready for that 😂” one wrote, and @itssmarij admitted with a laugh, “I’m still not ready lol 😂.”
“Lol it’s a willdddddd ride,” she concluded, perfectly capturing the chaotic but essential nature of parenting teens.
TikTok users are left both laughing and nodding in solidarity, recognizing that parenting is as unpredictable as it is important.
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