My life as a teen was spent with every available moment tucked away in my room. Only coming out for food, chores, the odd good TV program, and socialising sometimes. Mostly I liked to be in my room with posters of my idols, my music, singing, dancing (wasn't much of a dancer); dreaming of being famous for my stunning voice. I wanted to be relevant, known for something important, helpful, successful. I had all the usual grandiose ideas of being remembered for being awesome.
I went through a period of finding fault with my siblings, my parents, family, teachers, other kids at school, friends, people out in the street and on TV. Why can't everybody just be normal and stop having faults such as, bashing baby seals for fur! Also, I was down on my own faults. Why were beings always full of faults? We all have questions we ask ourselves about the meaning of our lives during this time.
Often my partner will remind me that it's normal for teens to spend exorbitant amounts of time alone in their rooms, avoiding human interaction. That's ok. Yet it is still important to monitor, know and learn what they're up to and into. For e.g. I was all about music. My children are all about particular interests that they enjoy. It is different to what I'm use to, a lot of it is online. Where as in yesteryear teens spent hours on the phone talking with friends they'd seen that day at school.
Make sure your teens are safe in what choices they're making and what interests they're taking up. You don't want your teen developing unhealthy addictions for example. I can leave my children alone in their rooms because I KNOW what they're up to and I know they're not making terrible choices. I've taught them well.
My motto is: my children are only as awesome as I've taught them to be.
How well do you know your teens? Do you know what they're up to in their rooms? Have you taught them to make good choices?
No comments:
Post a Comment