Building Blocks of a Family The short story "Teenage Wasteland" by Anne Tyler is a revealing story about the trials of a mother and her son. Donny is what is known as a problem child, and Daisy cannot to seem to figure out what his problem is. Through many attempts she tries to reach to him through counselors, and outside help. This story reveals a lack of communication, feelings of inadequacy, and lack of parental control. Daisy reminisces on what Donny used to look like. "He used to have blond hair -almost white- cut shorter than the other children's so that on his crown a little cowlick always stood up to catch the light" (