My New Happy: Great Teens On Thursday

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Great Teens On Thursday


I've got a bunch of random teenager related stuff running around in my brain today.

If you're the parent of a tween or teenager, I hope you've visited Joshshipp.com.  Josh was raised in the foster care system and has used his experience as a troubled youth to become a teen advocate and motivational speaker.  His mission is to empower teens and help adults understand them better.

Josh's website is full of tons of helpful information including a free video series for parents and a sample cell phone contract (both of my boys signed something similar when they first got phones).  There are also videos of some of his speeches, and articles like "The 5 mistakes almost every grown up makes with teens".

I agree with Josh, and think that teenagers often get a bad rap.  Yes, they are definitely difficult, and just like any segment of the population, there are a few rotten apples in the bunch. But overall, teenagers are kind, caring human beings just waiting to show you how great they are.

A few examples:

--Several weeks ago, we were discussing T's future college choices, scholarships, and how much it was going to cost to become a veterinarian. Without hesitation, my older son said "if you need help paying for things, you can always ask me".  I was floored.  By the time T gets to school, C will be done with his college program and working full time, but he will be moving out on his own and taking on his own expenses.  To offer to help his little brother pay for college left me speechless, and a little teary.


--It's prom season.  Luckily, our high school only has a senior prom so we didn't "have" to participate this year.  Which is good news for the wallet.  These two prom stories made my heart smile.

When Drew Holm couldn't find a date, his 93 year old great-grandmother jokingly told him she'd go with him.  He took her up on her offer, and they had a wonderful time dancing the night away (well, until 9pm - that was grandma's bed time)!



Back in fourth grade, Ben promised Mary, a beautiful young girl with Down's Syndrome, that he would take her to prom someday.  Seven years later he made good on his promise.



--And finally, just down the street from my house, two local high school girls saved a man in a McDonald's parking lot by performing CPR.  They had stopped to get a snack, and noticed the man lying on the ground, unresponsive.  They remembered their recent health class training course, and paramedics said the man would have died if the girls hadn't been there.

Do you have any great teenagers in your life?

25 comments:

  1. Raising teens is not for wimps! There are so many terrible influences in our society. These are great tips! Thanks! Susan

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    1. I love that Susan - raising teens is not for wimps! You are so right!

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  2. I love feel-good stories about teenagers because they have so much to offer and they can step up sometimes and just blow us away - love that your older boy cares enough to offer to help :)

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    1. He's pretty sweet and he really loves his brother, although I'm not sure he would admit it!

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  3. Lana... I've learned a lot from my teens... I think the majority of them are wonderful and kind. Unfortunately people look at the few bad apples... I'm going to have to look into this site xox ♡

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  4. Some really great heartwarming stories here. I need to take a St. John's Ambulance course.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  5. Oh, Lana. You have no idea - this is EXACTLY what I needed to read today. I'll share it with my 19 year-old. Both of us are saddened by a tragic event that took place over the long weekend at Whistler. A 19 year-old from here was stabbed by another. He died. The news is full of photos of his grieving friends and family. To see the happy stories on your blog today is the perfect tonic. Thank you.

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    1. Kelly - I'm so sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to all involved!

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  6. The tips are great and the stories heartwarming. Who's says there saran's good kids?

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  7. I love all of these heartwarming stories! I'm heading over to Josh's site. Parenting a teen is not an easy job!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  8. I had never heard of the Joshshipp site! Headed there now - thanks for it, and the uplifting stories!

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  9. Beautiful post and so very true! Teens have so much awesomeness in them!

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  10. My teens are 20 somethings now, but I remember those days fondly (okay so maybe not fondly), but we survived them haha! What a great message to spread! Teens go through so much at their age and you are right most of them get a bad rap but they are mostly pretty good kids just trying to figure out how to become adults. I love the story about your son that is so sweet!

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    1. Some days are definitely better than others, right!

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  11. Wow, I got chills from all the stories - especially the last two. Although the one about your boys might be my favorite. What a great kid!

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  12. I'll have to check out that site, but I totally agree, teens do get a bad rap! most of the time, unfairly so!
    Sounds like you've raised some wonderful boys though, well done momma!

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