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It's not easy being a teenager these days. Especially a teenager who chooses to make the right choices and doesn't follow the "popular" crowd. This became evident the year my son was a Junior in high school. This is the year his circle of friends began growing smaller and smaller.
While the majority of his peers were experimenting with alcohol and/ or drugs, this young man decided to steer away from the crowd. Add to that, a choice to sing in the high school choir, instead of playing one of the many "popular” sports this 5A school had to offer, and you can often find yourself in a lonely stream of your own. He never seemed to notice or complain, because he didn't have a hundred "popular friends”. Instead, the "friends” he did have were genuine and accepted each other for who they were and what they stood for…a stand not to drink or do drugs.
I found myself surrounded by a sea of moms who promoted their children as National Merit Scholars, star athletes, and some of the most "popular” kids in the school. Many times I would avoid lunch invitations, because I didn't want to hear how great these kids were and about their latest party invitation. Why? Because my son is a loving, compassionate, talented, "get's it”, B student, whom I wouldn't trade for anything in the world?
The moral to this story…
Some moms "live” their lives through their kids…maybe because they weren't popular, pretty or felt smart enough when they were in high school. Pushing your child to be popular, to be in the top 10% of their class, and on every athletic/ scholastic team offered, can sometimes and often times be deadly.
Then there are mom's who "learn” from their kids…I was one of those moms. I owe it all to my wonderfully talented, "comfortable in his own skin” son. Who, by the way, got into a great college, is pursuing his love of singing, still has a dozen or so "true friends”, and probably chose not to join a Fraternity because of the "drinking" requirement. Did I forget to mention,,,"he is very happy"?
While the majority of his peers were experimenting with alcohol and/ or drugs, this young man decided to steer away from the crowd. Add to that, a choice to sing in the high school choir, instead of playing one of the many "popular” sports this 5A school had to offer, and you can often find yourself in a lonely stream of your own. He never seemed to notice or complain, because he didn't have a hundred "popular friends”. Instead, the "friends” he did have were genuine and accepted each other for who they were and what they stood for…a stand not to drink or do drugs.
I found myself surrounded by a sea of moms who promoted their children as National Merit Scholars, star athletes, and some of the most "popular” kids in the school. Many times I would avoid lunch invitations, because I didn't want to hear how great these kids were and about their latest party invitation. Why? Because my son is a loving, compassionate, talented, "get's it”, B student, whom I wouldn't trade for anything in the world?
The moral to this story…
Some moms "live” their lives through their kids…maybe because they weren't popular, pretty or felt smart enough when they were in high school. Pushing your child to be popular, to be in the top 10% of their class, and on every athletic/ scholastic team offered, can sometimes and often times be deadly.
Then there are mom's who "learn” from their kids…I was one of those moms. I owe it all to my wonderfully talented, "comfortable in his own skin” son. Who, by the way, got into a great college, is pursuing his love of singing, still has a dozen or so "true friends”, and probably chose not to join a Fraternity because of the "drinking" requirement. Did I forget to mention,,,"he is very happy"?
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