Thank you for sharing your story. It is so beautifully written and reflects how a lot of parents are feeling (but are often afraid to admit). One common misconception I see with the parents I work with is that by the time their kids are teens, they think they should have this parenting thing all figured out. They struggle in silence. Alone. Feeling like they are failing as a parent. But the truth is, parenting teens is a whole new ballgame. What worked when they were younger is no longer effective, and frequently backfires. Teen's aren't broken. They aren't purposefully difficult. They're just misunderstood. I've worked with teens for over 2 decades and have yet to meet one that doesn't want a better relationship with their parents--they just don't know how. The more people like you that speak out openly and unapologetically about the challenges of raising teens, the more acceptable it will become to seek help and support. Once they do, they'll find that there are a lot of resources, information, and support to help parents have peaceful, positive relationship with their teens. In fact, raising teens can be some of the most joyful years as a parent. As a mom of a teen, I live it every day. As an adolescent psychologist and family coach, I strive to help others live it every day.