The longer I sit here and stare at my computer screen, the more I wonder why I can't think of anything to talk about. It used to flow, never was there a problem thinking of a funny story, or a meaningful idea to blab about...then it came.
Remember when we were little? We couldn't wait for summer break from school, especially when we were old enough to stay home alone? Time was spent outside. I have to say, I was a bit of a "tomboy" for lack of better words so all summer I played outside, rode horses, made forts in the trees, played with the dogs, made tunnels through the hay stacks in our barn, played catch with my dad, swam...
There was also something as a child that I swore I'd never do as an adult....use the phrase, "Kids these Days!" But, here it goes, KIDS THESE DAYS! I had the pleasure of spending several hours with my 14 year old neice and her friend the other day at my house. They came hang out and babysit that evening so Adam and I could go to a DIRT FIRE (That's a story for another day!). Anyway, the entire time the girls were at our house, while I was present, was spent on a device. They came prepared to use our WiFi with a tablet, cell phone, and IPod. They were giggling and snapping pictures of each other doing nothing, and paying little attention to anything going on around them. Even the TV is obsolete to teenagers when they have Snap Chat, texting, Facebook, and whatever other apps my kids better never let me find out they have! It was clear that a boy, or two, was involved with all of the giggles. The friend informed us that she was in a relationship as of two hours ago, Adam and I felt incredibly responsible for the fact that she had a boyfriend and her parents had no idea! I'm not sure how to handle teenagers, I have no practice, but here are a few things I've learned by secretely observing them...
1. They seem utterly content as long as they are connected to some source of WiFi.
2. If there was a natural disaster, you could always rely on a teenager to have saved their IPod, wouldn't want to be without music (or texting or facebook). I didn't even know IPods did that!
3. They text each other even when they are sitting in the same room. So weird.
4. They have boyfriends/girlfriends...but don't go on dates.
5. They don't know what Saved by the Bell is (was).
6. They know everything, and if they don't...well, they do.
7. They dress exactly like the friend they are having a sleepover with.
8. They call sandals "Slides." What does that even mean?
I spent the evening outside with the kids. Presley attempted to help me in the garden, and Ben entertained himself as usual, and then we set up some bases and played baseball...barefoot. It was fun, and healthy, and we all laughed. Then we came inside and assumed our typical nightly routine. They are in bed now, and I wonder what they'll be like at 14 years old. I'd like to say that they won't be obsessed with technology and will still enjoy physical activity and outdoors, but I have no idea. I hope that I can instill in my children a sense of what is truly important in their lives rather than snapping constant selfies and playing World of Warcraft. I hope that my kids will climb trees and play with the animals. I hope they will want to go ride horses and play baseball in 10 years. And I certainly hope they always see the value of verbal communication refrain from texting someone who is in the same room!
Kids these days!
