If you are the parent of a teenager you know they don't show much enthusiasm. By that I mean no matter what is going on in their mind their outer reaction is very blah. Very "whatever". Everything is ok not great just ok. So when you get a reaction, good or bad, you take notice and revel in it.
Two days ago my oldest, who is at a political forum for youth, had one of those reactions. And boy did we sit up and take notice. I knew when he called something had happened. Something big. There was no pretense of calm. He was bouncing. He had won the lottery in his mind. What could possibly turn our teenager into an exuberant nonstop talker? He was going to speak in the House of Commons!
Okay to you and I maybe that's not a bucket list item. To my son....it was more than he could have dreamt possible. He was picking topics to speak about. Editing and reworking. Then fixing it some more. It must be perfect. Or better than perfect. This was important to him. As it should be.
Yesterday he did it. He spoke in front of the people who make the laws and rules of our country. He gave his opinion on a subject dear to him and to many of us. A dream had come true for him. When he called to tell us how it went he was back to being his normal teenage self. It went "good". He was "ok" with it. Now he was going to hang out with his new friends. Approximately two minutes on the phone and he was off. An average teenager again.
Enjoy the parenting moments when you can. Remember underneath that surly, sassy, sulky facade is the same engaged, inquisitive and awesome kid you haven't seen in a few years. They are still there. They just don't want you to know it.
Ang
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