Comments on: No Teens Here

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:49:53 +0000

Hi dana,
yes- long time, no hear lol. I’m not sure I managed to follow you to your new blog so will pop over and visit you later on today.

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 31 May 2010 02:26:22 +0000

Susan,
It has been a long time since I stopped by your blog & do I have a lot of catching up to do!
We have 5 teenagers, 19-14. We too have utilized the Harris family resources such as “Do Hard Things” In fact my 14 yr old & 12 yr old will be reading it this summer.
We have not allowed the “typical teenager” mentality in our home either & others notice a difference. I am not saying at all that our kids are perfect, but other parents who are struggling with their teenagers ask us all the time what are we doing. I just tell them, “They are believers and followers of Christ and that is how we treat them, not as teenagers.” We deal with bad attitudes and sin like we would with anyone else in our family, head on. We don’t tolerate their behavior because now they are a teenager. I really enjoy my teenagers & for years people told me it would be the worst part of being a parent. I am so blessed!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:39:23 +0000

In reply to Belinda.

Hi Belinda,
I actually taught my children when they were very young that they did not have to rebel… just because society expects it. It’s never to young to casually start mentioning those concepts in and around your daily discussions. I find that a shopping trip affords much discussion fodder 😉

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:37:52 +0000

In reply to Ruby. Hi ruby, That's the key isn't it? not so much the word itself but the meaning, the ideas, the concept of that word. :)

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:45:32 +0000

In reply to Rosemary.

Hi Rosemary,
Always lovely to have you pop in. Regarding the terminology – I do think it is important… but knowing why we say what we do is even more important… and then letting our children know is vital.

Hehee, I’ve had a few people tell me that they read my blog because I have older children. I think that’s partly why I’ve stopped writing so much… I used to speak and write the first thought that popped into my head whereas I tend to try and think a lot more about something before I open my mouth now. Just remember (as I’m sure you will) that I’m human and make many mistakes… only God is to be trusted.

By: Belinda

Belinda — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:29:12 +0000

This is so true – before my kids were even teens they couldn’t understand why they had to rebel (as per expectations of people around them) just because they grew one year older!

Do Hard Things and the Rebelution have been a great resource in our family. Jess is now reading their latest book – Start Here. The snippets she has read aloud to us have been very good.

We use the word ‘teen’ but we also use the word ‘young adult’ – whatever comes out! Our kids get into conversations where they try to help people see that there is a difference and it is all about choice!

Great post Susan.

By: Ruby

Ruby — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:10:05 +0000

I don’t have a problem with the term, as you say, so long as it goes along with more responsibility etc. The scriptures refer to youths and by that time they were expected to act in an accountable manner.
I sometimes wish I had the teen years again with my older ones. either that or that I had a lot more wisdom back then! But, as with every stage of parenting you live and learn.
Giood topic and post 🙂

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:46:04 +0000

Hi Susan 🙂
My dd loves this book ‘Do Hard Things’. She has read it twice now, and is slowly passing it around the young people (dare I say, teens?) at our church. She is quite the little evangelist in this regard. I must say I loved that book as well – wish I could have read it when I was that age. When I tell my family and friends that we will have no teenagers in our house – I am referring to those ideas inherent in our typical teenage stereotype; the word teenager is so heavily laden with negative meaning. I guess what I should be saying is that we will have no stereotypical teens in our house.

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:41:57 +0000

Susan, I am still 7 years off from having a teenager but an excellent post! I have time to still mull over this and decide what I will call her when she gets there:) This is one reason I read your blog – to learn from others ahead of me:) So thanks for this!