Thx you for your responses thus far. I know I'm not alone in the world of parenting teens, but it sometimes is nice to hear others experiences. It helps. I will check out the book titels suggested. We have not had any direct name calling to me, more like, "oh my gosh... MOM!!!...". Because I'm so "weird". My own mother always told me I was special, but she never clarified as to how. I take pride in that "weirdness". She will also say, "Oh, mom, you just don't understand, blab blab".

I try to intervene with the sibling situation. That is a tough one. I have explained to her before, when she has complained that her younger brother won't "leave her alone", that he looks up to her. She's the oldest, her brother follows her lead, etc. Makes me get tears almost, but hear lately, DS has even started saying to her that he loves her. When not fighting of course. I tell DS that DD needs some of her own space. DS really loves to ride his bike. Bonus prize: can't imagine where he gets that from. DS and I have been spinning around the neighborhood a bit more alone.

My own mother was pretty embarrassing for a while. Then she became the most wise woman I knew later.