There is a new place for parents of teens to gather, discuss and commiserate when it comes to the sometimes ugly business of raising teenagers. Whatever Nation was launched to help parents of teens get through these hormonal years – one eyeroll at a time. Meet Stefanie Mullen, the creator of Whatever Nation (WN).
A New Site Dedicated to Parenting Teens is Born
Suite 101: What inspired you to create Whatever Nation?
Stefanie: You know when you bring your cute little baby home from the hospital. You stare at him lovingly that first day and smile because the elation is overwhelming. He sleeps quietly in your arms and you think to yourself, “My friends are all crazy. This is easy.”
Then at sunset he turns into a milk sucking vampire? Screaming, needy, red faced? You have no idea what to do to make him stop and you have visions of returning him to his sender?
That’s what it’s like when your child turns 13. You hear about it, but you are sure your experience will be different. Then one night you kiss their sweet little faces, close their bedroom door. The next morning, the creature who sits down at your breakfast table? An eye rolling, door slamming, “you are so uncool mom”, money sucking vampire.
Fortunately, for mothers of newborns there is a plethora of information on the net. For parents of teens? Not so much. What you do find is humorless and harsh.
I wanted a place where other parents found the humor in raising teens. A place to remember what it was like to be a hormonal, acne ridden teen. I couldn’t find it. So, I created it.
Content for Whatever Nation
Suite 101: Has having teens yourself helped you develop the content for the site?
Stefanie: Yes. The issues that are discussed on WN are issues we have dealt with in our home. Which brings me to another reason for Whatever Nation. It is sometimes difficult to discuss with parents in your community some of the things going on with your teen. For example, I discussed a sexting issue this week.
You don’t want to alarm the locals or send a message that something is wrong with your child. Suddenly an email goes out to all the “good” kids parents, “Don’t hang out with so-and-so’s kid. He did (insert infraction).” An anonymous place to go where your child isn’t judged is important.
Suite 101: What is your mission? Tagline?
Stefanie: My tagline is, “Parenting teens. One eye roll at a time.”
My mission is to create homes of teens that offer love, support, understanding and humor through a community of parents of teens. These are the last years our children will share a home with us. While it is tough navigating the hormones and desire to separate from us, it should be filled with laughter and love. You don’t want to send them off to college with memories of screaming matches and, “You just don’t understands.”
Suite 101: What types of posts are you planning to feature?
Stefanie: All issues related to teens will be discussed. Technology, information from pediatricians and psychologists, heartwarming stories of life with teens. Drugs, alcohol, school, the college process. There is so much to discuss. I am finding already that I can’t keep up with the emails requesting topics parents of teens would like covered.
Whatever Nation Future
Suite 101: What are your hopes for the future of Whatever Nation?
Stefanie: My hope is that it reaches every parent of every teenager. I want it to become the place for intelligent discussions regarding anything teen. A site where parents go when they are at their end and need to find solace in the situations of others. A place to find a laugh when you want to scream. A place you would log onto as a resource for an issue you and your teen are dealing with.
I'd love to see people spread the word. Whatever Nation is only as good as the people who are there joining in the discussions.
Visit Whatever Nation for more information.
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
