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Post by sillyrabbit on May 30, 2015 16:34:41 GMT
I think to myself that those people must not know the teens that I do. My niece is graduating from high school today. I can go on and on about how wonderful my niece is, but this post is about her friend. All through her school years, my niece has had the same best friend. This best friend is beautiful, smart, super popular, homecoming queen...you know the type. Just about as close to perfect as a girl can get. The kind of girl that has it all and could be a snotty little heifer if she wanted. But she's so not that way at all. My younger DS has autism and has always had a crush on niece's best friend. He calls her his girlfriend. She is so sweet that she goes along with it and is always very kind to him. Best friend is graduating today with my niece, so I posted a congrats on her FB wall and told her DS was lucky to have her as his "girlfriend". Her response..."Thank you! But I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one." Yeah...this next generation is gonna be just fine.
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 9:36:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 16:36:11 GMT
Exactly. People just want to complain and think they are far superior. It's been happening since the beginning of time.
Glad to hear good stories. They are more common that the crazy ones.
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
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Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on May 30, 2015 16:39:53 GMT
I agree.
The teens in my son's marching band are incredible people. Kind, caring, inclusive...a fantastic bunch of kids who will do amazing things in their future.
Plus, as a new college student myself, I am pleased to see the character of most of my classmates.
People see what they want. It's sad that they discredit every teen for the actions of a few.
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Post by sillyrabbit on May 30, 2015 16:41:25 GMT
Honestly, we've rarely encountered any horrible teens. My older DS's friends have always treated younger DS like he was one of them. They didn't care that he was a little quirky. All of my nieces' friends have embraced DS too. They really are very kind and thoughtful. And I really don't think our situation is unique. I think there is mostly good with a little bad, and people tend to focus on the bad. And that's a shame because these kids deserve better.
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Post by Basket1lady on May 30, 2015 16:52:56 GMT
I agree--I think today's teens are awesome! I volunteer with the high school theatre and I'm amazed at how inclusive the kids are to each other. And when one of them gets a little full of themselves, they just roll their eyes, call the person on their diva behavior, and carry on. I haven't seen a lot of cattiness or exclusiveness.
Even the football team with all those big egos... There were a few that I'd like to kick to the curb, but for the most part they are respectful and always willing to carry stuff around for me. The season has been over for months, but many will still greet me in the halls and give me a big hug. There will always be jerks in the world, but this generation isn't lost.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on May 30, 2015 16:56:04 GMT
Totally agree! One of my dd's biggest complaints is that adults always think the worst about teens.
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on May 30, 2015 17:03:13 GMT
I think it is like when people complain about the bad teacher/doctor etc those stories seem to carry more weight then the great teacher/doctor/teen stories lol!
Personally for me in my life my teenage boys 3 out of the 4 of them were terrible to live with during their teens and made me want to pull out my hair on a given day, Somewhere along the way we really failed with 3 of them. My hubby and I couldn't ever imagine treating our parents the way they treat us, 2 of them are in their 20's now and our relationship with them is very limited.
I do run across a lot of great teens though just not in my own household haha!
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Post by rainangel on May 30, 2015 17:05:04 GMT
I agree. My own teenage nieces are wonderful people! Caring, responsible, smart, friendly, including.... SO proud of each and every one of them I think the whole 'Today's teenagers are horrible' is a classic case of a few bad apples giving the whole barrel a bad rep. Which can be said for almost ANY group of people! Political groups, age groups, religious groups, bikers, hippies, metalheads and so on and so on...... I think most grown up and sensible people know it is unfair to judge ALL teenagers based on the behaviour of three of them. Based on the teenagers I personally know, this generation is going to take huge leaps in a positive direction
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
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Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on May 30, 2015 17:09:04 GMT
Okay, I was thinking, yep, kids I know are good kids (goofy but good) and happy to agree with you. But the reply this wonderful young lady gave to you was unexpected and actually choked me up. She will go far in life, even if she chooses to not aspire to a successful career etc. She is already ahead of the pack and a success.
As far as this upcoming generation, I have to agree. They seem to be so much more well rounded, empathetic, inclusive and mature in those ways than I remember "us" being. But definately not too "mature" and serious to be enjoying themselves. They have so much fun together and are not afraid to just be themselves,(goofy, crazy, shy, gay, straight, blond, purple haired- whatever) and truly care for one another. At least that is my experience with teens that hang around here. Of course there are troubled teens, as there always has been. But as a whole, I love this upcoming generation.
ETA I've found myself thinking "wow, I didn't figure that out until 30, 40 or 50" when one of my teens or their friends express something. It's like they are already ahead of the game in ways. More intuitive? I often learn from them!
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
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Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on May 30, 2015 17:30:22 GMT
I have teens in my extended family that are good kids and seemingly do good for others.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on May 30, 2015 17:35:18 GMT
I think the media plays a role here. We all heard ad nauseum about the teen who sued her parents to,pay her college tuition. She was not willing to live in their home, under their rules so she moved into her boyfriends parents home against her parents wishes.
There was little coverage of the Bethlehem NH senior high school kids that gave up their class trip to give the $8,000 to their principal to help with the costs of fighting her cancer battle.
Society tends to focus on the negative.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,692
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on May 30, 2015 17:42:02 GMT
Absolutely agreed! Mine are currently planting a garden for a neighbor that loves hers but can't get down in the dirt anymore. They plant, weed and harvest while she sits and 'teaches' them how to do it. It's especially fun when they have friends over and a whole group goes to hang with her.
There is something to complain about every generation but current teens and the next batch coming up? I truly, truly believe they'll be the ones to change the world!
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Post by maryland on May 30, 2015 17:56:44 GMT
My 17 yr. old daughter graduated last night. What a great group of kids! She is really going to miss these boys and girls. And my husband and I are so impressed with these kids too.
Every age has the good people and not so nice people. It's definitely not limited to teens.
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 9:36:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 18:14:07 GMT
I have 12 grandchildren. Many of them are teens. They are all awesome.
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Post by Karmady on May 30, 2015 18:19:48 GMT
So far, my kids have been awesome. I really can't complain. They've worked hard in school, volunteered a lot of hours, had jobs and stayed out of trouble. There are a few kids in our neighbourhood who have been terrible. They've had free rein from their parents since the age of 5. Both boys are the same age as my ds and they used to play together but I didn't like what I was seeing at a young age. I started to pull ds away from them and redirect his activities. Both of those boys skip out of school a lot and smoke pot all day while documenting it on Instagram. Both sets of parents know about their conduct and feel that there is nothing that they can do WTH? Both boys have overdosed on pills in the past few months and ended up in the hospital. They are fine but still skip school and hang out with friends and their bongs all day. They are in Grade 9.
Sure my kids get mouthy or bossy at times, but I'll take their moods along with their good behaviour anytime.
We really do need to emphasize the good teens more often.
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Post by Memo on May 30, 2015 18:21:17 GMT
I have to agree. My husband and I volunteer with my son's marching band. The kids are polite, for the most part helpful and all around funny kids. We were chaperones on a recent band Disneyland trip and had no problems whatsoever. We had over 35 seniors graduate just last week and I'll miss them all!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 18:27:08 GMT
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Post by scrapbookdiva on May 30, 2015 18:39:04 GMT
My 17 yr. old daughter graduated last night. What a great group of kids! She is really going to miss these boys and girls. And my husband and I are so impressed with these kids too. Every age has the good people and not so nice people. It's definitely not limited to teens. Exactly! It's not like the "adult" populations before them have all been exemplary. Lol!
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 9:36:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 18:44:32 GMT
sillyrabbit you must be a special mom to be surrounded by special kids. I said this in the other thread and I'll say it here. I think that kids these days are going to make the world a wonderful place. The kids I see are caring, empathetic, kind, smart go-getters. They'll run the world and take care of it at the same time.
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Post by anxiousmom on May 30, 2015 18:50:27 GMT
I think I said this on the other thread-but I have one of each. A rotten child who made me want to pull my hair out and run screaming across the state to jump on the next shuttle flight to the international space station just to get away from him and his disrespectful attitude with other kid who is nothing like his brother at all.
There are all kinds of kids, just like there are all kinds of adults.
And frankly, even the kid who makes me crazy is pretty darn awesome in his own way. He may have been no fun to be around when he was here, he is the one currently in boot camp because he wants to serve his country. I can't complain about that...and I do know he loves me in his own way.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
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Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on May 30, 2015 19:08:07 GMT
my dd is similar... there was a younger boy in her dance class that was awkward and gooey eyed over her. she was always nice to him, only boy in the class, younger, etc. she hadn't seen him in over a year and said "hey, i saw jerrod yesterday. i gave him a hug. i love that kid". my momma heart swelled in pride. she has stepped back from things she has REALLY wanted to do because other kids were being excluded and she did not want to be a part of that.
perhaps things *seemed* better in the past because when bad things happened, people were much more likely to try to sweep it under the rug for fear of "what the neighbours will think". frankly, i don't give a flying FIG what my neighbours think of my marriage, my childrearing or anything else.
i got honours in grade 6 - first and only time. my mom was over the moon and loved that teacher. my teacher took a text book (hard cover) and slapped me across the face with it when i neglected to complete my homework once. i was also hit on the top of my head with a metre stick. another time i missed something, i apologized and said i meant to do it. she responded with 'THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS!!". i was 11. i was not raised religious and had *no* idea what that meant, other than.... for not doing homework i was going to hell.
yes, there are turkey kids disrupting classrooms and i find it frustrating when i volunteer in the class. but not for one second do i think that kid deserves to be hit in face with a textbook.
i recently signed a petition started by 2 girls in grade 8 that wanted "consent" added to the sex ed curriculum for ontario public schools. they put forth a well thought out and convincing case. i thought, if this is our future, we are going to be JUST fine!!
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 30, 2015 19:12:16 GMT
I think all of you are the lucky ones to have eachother.
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Post by anonrefugee on May 30, 2015 19:18:47 GMT
anxiousmom lol spoken like a mom in the throes of parenting! I could say same about mine, only it would switch kids on alternate weeks. They're nice teenagers, going to be excellent adults. Until then, Im keeping the brochures for military schools, just in case.
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Post by anxiousmom on May 30, 2015 19:27:04 GMT
anxiousmom lol spoken like a mom in the throes of parenting! I could say same about mine, only it would switch kids on alternate weeks. They're nice teenagers, going to be excellent adults. Until then, Im keeping the brochures for military schools, just in case. Yep. Although the older one left to go to college...turns out that parenting him is NOT over and he needed a minder more there than he did when he was still at home. But I am hoping and praying that boot camp will knock a little sense into him. His heart is in the right the place, it really is, he just doesn't go about it the same way the rest of the world does. The other one is 16 and a joy. Until he isn't and then he is the spawn of Satan.
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scrapaddie
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Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on May 30, 2015 19:42:49 GMT
I taught high school for 35 years. The majority of my students were wonderful. There were a few scattered throughout the years, that I would rather not of had to deal with but by far they were the minority. My last year of teaching I had 160 of the best kids ever!
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Post by stefdesign on May 30, 2015 19:48:30 GMT
Exactly. People just want to complain and think they are far superior. It's been happening since the beginning of time. Glad to hear good stories. They are more common that the crazy ones. While I agree with all the comments here that most kids today are pretty awesome, I have to take exception to your comment here that people 'think they are far superior', and your comment on the other thread that thinking former generations kids were more polite, obedient or whatever is "patronizing". I think many people who feel that way don't see it as proving that they are superior, but just their experience or observations seem to indicate it. I'd venture a guess that most people, while they might tend to sugarcoat their own childhoods a little, certainly wouldn't think that they individually are superior. I think it's just human nature to complain, and compare. As someone said, a lot of the stories of selfish and entitled kids comes from the media, and it is easy to believe all of the bad stories. I just think that you can express your opinion without denigrating people who differ with you. (For the record, I don't disagree at all, I find most teens today pretty thoughtful and mature).
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 9:36:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 19:54:40 GMT
Exactly. People just want to complain and think they are far superior. It's been happening since the beginning of time. Glad to hear good stories. They are more common that the crazy ones. While I agree with all the comments here that most kids today are pretty awesome, I have to take exception to your comment here that people 'think they are far superior', and your comment on the other thread that thinking former generations kids were more polite, obedient or whatever is "patronizing". I think many people who feel that way don't see it as proving that they are superior, but just their experience or observations seem to indicate it. I'd venture a guess that most people, while they might tend to sugarcoat their own childhoods a little, certainly wouldn't think that they individually are superior. I think it's just human nature to complain, and compare. As someone said, a lot of the stories of selfish and entitled kids comes from the media, and it is easy to believe all of the bad stories. I just think that you can express your opinion without denigrating people who differ with you. (For the record, I don't disagree at all, I find most teens today pretty thoughtful and mature). Sorry but the comments about the latest generation were far worse than my opinion of them. I stand by what I said. Some basically said that this generation is nothing but sex crazed, pregnant, entitled jerks who get every single thing handed to them. But go ahead pointing out how rude "I" am.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
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Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on May 30, 2015 20:31:19 GMT
I think it depends on how you know the kids and the circles you run in. Right now I have more bad apples in my classes than good. Five months ago it would have been the opposite.
I will add that I see a radically different side to most kids than their relatives and family friends do. While I still think teens are awesome, a large percentage have non-school adults fooled.
The hardest part is that seldom cb teachers do anything about it. Without proof literally in our hands we can't tell parents their children are drug dealers. We can't do squat when smart, sly kids bully others because it can be done so quietly.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
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Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on May 30, 2015 20:37:02 GMT
I will add that kids are far more entitled now than they were just ten years ago. With that comes an increase in disrespect. That may be just in lass, however. Just yesterday I was told by a student that it is my fault he has a B. If I had given him a copy of the test ahead of time he would have been able to get an A. About a third of the class joined in with opinions on how I should run my class. I shut them down of course, but it would have never happened 10-15 years ago.
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Post by leannec on May 30, 2015 21:09:59 GMT
My 16 year old dd is a very sweet girl when it comes to other people ... she went to a shelter to feed the residents the other day with her friend (part of a school assignment but I'm proud of her) ... She, unfortunately, can be a pain in the butt when it comes to us She is very high achieving in school and her friends are great so I really have not much to complain about ... Now, my 12 year old is a bit of a wild child
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