Her (with the big eyes and the giant gaping mouth reserved for parents of teens) to me: Why?
I had to think on this. And then think some more. It took at least ten minutes of thinking. Finally, I sent her a missive this morning via FB. It is below. Pardon the redundancies, it was written at 5am.
Here's what I love about teens:
1. I love how everything is so horrible and broken one minute and then not. That kind of drama and resilience is only found in these years.
2. I love that they argue like grown ups but don't know enough about the world to actually win these arguments.
3. I love that they will never look this good again and they treat their bodies like crap...and I love knowing one day they won't be able to and will resent it.
4. I love that the teen years are arguably the crappiest hormonal times of their lives and they have no idea how much of what they're going through has to do with that.
I hated being a teen. I loved my friends but it was the worst time in my life. And still, here I am, better for going through it. Able to take the crap salad and turn it into something good. It's the tenacity and constant fight to make it through the day that makes me have so much heart for teens. I remember that struggle, I remember when it felt like I lost, but somehow I made it anyway.
I love teens because things suck and they keep going. And I love watching them move beyond it.
13 comments:
I love this and I second everything you said. Teens have that raw emotion going for them - on top of the world one moment and then in the pit of despair the next. And you're right - they move and learn through it all.
I love teenagers, too. Your reasons are spot on. I think a lot of adults are intimidated by them. But the truth is, if you're straight with them they'll be straight with you. They can smell fear and will walk all over you if they think for one second that you can't handle them. I love how honest they are about who they are or are trying to be. I love how they listen when you don't think they are and how they teach you how to be less concerned with what the world thinks. They are who they are, love 'em or hate 'em.
Love this, Christa! I hated my teen years as well, though looking back, they weren't nearly as awful as they felt in the moment. Still, I'd never want to repeat them. :)
Just passing by to say I love this post!
I would add something witty and thoughtful (because this post definitely deserves the best) but it´s not coming to me (brain freeze).
Teenage years are hard, precious, difficult, funny, dramatic...They´re life.
Great insight into the minds of a teen. I think this is one of the reasons YA is as popular as it is. There's never a time in your life when emotions can swing so wildly and everything can feel so dramatic. Thanks for sharing! Pretty good for 5 in the morning.
I was just talking about this with the hubby because I was seated in a restaurant where I couldn't help but hear the drama. I have my moments where I want to run the other way, but all the reasons you listed are why I like them. And I'm related to a few amazing ones ;0)
I think I like teenagers because everything that's happened to them is totally not their fault. they can hardly control their own moods, let alone what shit they have to deal with at home or at school or what kind of baggage they're carrying with them from their earlier childhood. but it's not too late. these are the years it's the easiest to surface from underwater, easiest to change yourself for the best, to adapt and learn and live.
Great post! Love the pic and saying under it!!!
Oh, I love teens too. This list says it all. I remember that time in life when every thing felt too good or not good enough. :)
I couldn't say any of this better. I love knowing that there are so many possibilities for a teen, but of course they don't know that.
I love that you said crap salad...it will keep me smiling all day long.
Oh so true. The resilience of youth is amazing.
Yes to all of these. I remember my teenage highs and lows--I never want to relive those years, but I'm glad I got through them.
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