No one said having kids was going to be easy, but when our little ones suddenly turn into foot-stomping, music-blaring teenagers overnight, it can be a difficult pill to swallow. It's impossible to predict how your child is going to be as a teen, but there are a few things we can do to try and survive the wilderness of these years. Not only are they messy, disorganized and hormone-ridden time bombs, but they expect us to take care of everything. Life with teenagers can be a roller coaster, especially when every day throws up last-minute conundrums. Here's how to cope with the next few years in five easy steps.

Keep a schedule. It might sound like it's a simple thing to do, but keeping a family schedule may just be your saving grace. Family planners are cheap to buy and encouraging your kids to write in their own activities and events will help the ship sail smoothly. You can also get fancy with it and download an app so you're all on the same page.

Get your teen to write a to-do list. Fed up of that last minute evening run to the store because your teen forgot to get something for school the next day? Getting your little adult to write a weekly to-do list could stop you - and them - running around for things at the last minute. Keeping things organized is a skill that will serve them well once they head off to college, too.

Set phone reminders. Calendars and lists not enough? Teens are on their phones pretty much all of the time, so if there's something important for them to remember, get them to set a reminder on their phone. It's hard to ignore something when it's literally in your hand.

Have regular catch ups. We all have busy lives, but communication is key to any well-oiled machine. Take the time to sit and talk with your teen about the week ahead, what they have going on and what they need from you. That way, they can't blame you for not knowing!

Be patient. It's easy to get frustrated when our kids forget something that we've told them a million times, but it's important to take the time to remember what we were like at that age. Were you always on the ball? Probably not. Remember, they're still learning what's expected of them and may need some encouragement along the way.

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