I struggled with that title. Kind of harsh, isn’t it? True, though. Teens get a bad rap in today’s society, usually well deserved. We associate them with awful loud music, inappropriate clothing, bad manners, and no concept that they need to take responsibility or look to the future.
If you harbor this preconceived notion, taking a walk through a shopping mall is usually enough to cement it. The joke is that teens don’t want to be seen in public with their parents, but I’d imagine most parents wouldn’t want to be seen with them.
Now that I’ve thoroughly dissed them, I’m going to take it back: today’s teens do not have to be social misfits. They can be well-behaved, clever, fun, and appropriately dressed, and when they are, you’re pleased to be seen in public with them because they prove that preconceived notions can be shattered.
My husband and I and a few other adults accompanied twenty-five teens to a nice restaurant and the opera last Friday night for our Spring Protocol event. Protocol is an occasion to get all dressed up and go out on the town and takes place each spring for high school students in Classical Conversations, a one-day-per-week program for homeschooled students. After the opera we returned for a dance and reception organized by the other moms, who’d created something that looked like a mini wedding reception in our absence, chocolate fountain and all.
I’m not saying that teens shouldn’t be funny and silly. I prefer them that way.
Don’t you?
Believe it or not, there are teens in this world who don’t have a problem hanging out with adults. Some actually like their parents, in spite of what the culture will tell you.
Never assume that your child is perfect or say “My child would never do that”—you’re probably setting yourself up for big disappointment. However, you can enjoy your teens! And teens: choose to be countercultural and pleasantly surprise all of those people who expect the worst from you.
I hope this is an encouragement to parents who’ve dreaded the teen years. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a plug here for homeschooling and the Classical Conversations program. This is our 19th year as a homeschooling family and our 3rd year with CC.
What about you? Got teens?
And teens? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks Dawn! Love the article! We had a great time!
Everybody looks so good. What a wonderful group.
They look beautiful. And you are right about teens and adults. Many adults who live near us, enjoy visiting with my 18 year old daughter.
It’s possible, right?
Looks like you had a great night. So sad to miss yet another fun event. 🙂 Maybe we will join in the fun next time!!!
I love some of the teens in your group shot and I can say they are wonderful teens.
Coming home?!
I’m glad to read your positive stance. I have 3 children from 2 to pre-teen, and I have been nervious about the teen years! I’ve recently been recalculating my negative view on teenagers. A friend once made a wise statement when I called a dark, dressed teen “scary.” She said, “I just see someone who needs to be loved.” Wow! That changed my whole perspective.
What a wise friend you have. So true!
What a wonderful idea! But with my boys, I think it is going to take liking girls to get them to the opera. 🙂
My husband had a good nap during the second act, so maybe that’s something they never outgrow. 🙂
Hi there, I know I am commenting late, it’s that kind of week… You are so right I only have one -and an “almost teen” and teens get such a bad wrap… My guys have literally come into their own… of course they are mad and do crazy stuff and never want to do the dishes, but I am not after perfection!!! They are just brilliant fun to be around. They ask how your day was and mean it!!! At the end of the day they don’t expect to be put to bed with a story, they want to chat about stuff: I think it is fabulous to have my kids ask what I am working on, what am I reading… they really want to know. Suddenly the relationship is a lot more interactive and I love it. Totally looking forward to lots more teens in the future !!!
I love this. They *can* be fun, can’t they?
I love teenagers! I homeschool my own kids, but I also serve on staff of a very large youth group (130+ students). I run a cafe there and have 9 students on staff with me. I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with teenagers. Most teens aren’t misfits- nor are MOST homeschooled teens either. I can always tell the homeschooled from the public schooled though for one reason only: homeschoolers aren’t afraid to be themselves. Most have their own interests that aren’t “typical” and most (girls esp.) have their own style of dress. I can’t say my own teen loves to hang out with me all the time, but she doesn’t run away when I walk toward her (LOL) and lots of her friends hang out at our house frequently. Teenagers are fun! 🙂
Dawn, you are so right about the “homeschoolers aren’t afraid to be themselves” part. I love that about them. 🙂
Looks like a cute event. It’s unfortunate that many people think that, in order to not be a social misfit, teens can’t have fun, enjoy their youth, and question their childhood (i.e., parents’) beliefs. That’s all a part of growing up and becoming a well-grounded adult.
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