I don't think that teenagers today get a particularly easy ride. We don't allow them many reasons for optimism and that bothers me. Peer pressure encourages them to grow up too fast, and the adult world looks pretty scary in today's grey economic and ecological environment.
Here we try to open our house as much as possible to our children's friends. It's reassuring to know where everyone is, and I like them to think of us as a welcoming home. I'm not holding myself up as some sort of saint, but I definitely prefer to have the house full of youngsters - even if I am cooking for about 15 at each meal at the moment! - than to have it deathly quiet, and wonder where my kids are and what they're up to!
This week we had something new. My 17 year old daughter got a call from a couple of high school friends. They were at a loose end, they said..., looking for something to do, they added...., love the food at your house they mentioned!! I took this is as a huge compliment.
The result was that the two boys cycled 80km or 50 miles to get here, and in exchange for good food, and fun days, they have completely repainted my barn doors. How cool is that!!
Merci les garcons!
Don't ever let people knock today's teenagers. Sometimes all they need is our trust and the space to express themselves.
Posts
Dear Sharon,
ReplyDeletejust found you via Nicola ( September Cottage),and I`m happy about it, because your post about our teenagers raise my hopes ( sorry for my english, but my french is awful...)!!!
The friends of my son (including him..)are all a little lazily...o.k. , they are 13 years and at the beginning of puberty, but I can`t believe it...Prehaps it´s getting better next time...
"Your " teenagers did a great job and that they came by bike is fantastic....
I´ll visit you in future...
all the best ,
Sanne
Love this story Sharon because that was my way of raising teenagers....my Mom always said you need to be in their faces everyday to know what was going on. She meant it in a good way and seeing as she raised ten children I knew she was right.
ReplyDeleteOnce I remember telling all the kids that they needed to earn food credits...I looking down on the second level of our home and saw the boys vacuuming the rug and the girls cleaning the washroom....ha ha..they were laughing and singing, it was so much fun those days.
They went by way too quickly!!!
Great to see these photos and you know the kids will have lots of memories of that day, painting your barn doors!!!
Good for you!
Hugs,
Margaret B
For teenage boys to want to hang out at your house is indeed high praise! Good for you!
ReplyDeletei've always had an open door policy for the girls friends and its paid off....for the price of a few extra plates its well worth it
ReplyDeleteI love this story. ESPECIALLY as I bet those boys did it all on their own, without being asked. Kids do grow up too fast these days - this is a wonderful alternative.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I love your blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI want you to know I wrote about you on my own blog. Check it out!
http://discoveryourjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/
I totally agree !
ReplyDeleteI miss the days when my sons friends were crowding the kitchen, waiting for something to eat or drink .. or listening to them downstairs, laughing and enjoying themselves
Those years go by so quickly .. I am glad you are savoring the time that your own children are there too.. and I bet those friends will remember these times too.
Like minds agree...My home is, and always has been the hangout for all the kids. Many had issues at home and spent every weekend here. Others had parents who hated the noise and sent them my way. I loved knowing where they were and yes, it depletes the pantry but as they got older they started arriving with their own snacks to help out. bless them.
ReplyDeleteMy rule here was, if you share meals with us you are family..which means I am the mom and you are now one of my kids so pick up after yourself, carry this for me please...clear the table etc. None of them ever minded, and quickly became a welcome addition to our home. Now all in their 20's, a few still stop by to say hello and visit even though my kids live in New York...and they all return here at Christmas which fills my home with love and laughter.
Crazier still, many of them follow my blog..How COOL is that?
I envy your space for them to spread out outside though. The volume at 2 am in a small city home can be, well, that's what headphones are for right?
z
I totally agree with you. It is sad that all teenagers get lumped in together. Our house was quite often filled with our 3 teenagers and their friends as everyone knew the rules and knew they were welcome. We always knew when there were extra bodies in the house while we were out because the house would be super clean but nothing broken and no complaints from the neighbours. They would be outside but at 11:00 would go to their basement rec room as to not disturb the neighbours. Their friends still comment on things that were at our old houses and some ask if those decor items are still up in our new house. It's nice to see them all settling into their young adult lives. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood for you to give these young people encouragement and they must feel very comfortable and "respected" to want to be there. You are not only helping them grow into wonderful adults you are helping to create great memories for them. ..HHL
ReplyDeleteBless them and you!
ReplyDeleteolive
I think that is wonderful that these boys enjoy your family and your food and work hard too. I love teenagers. I find them fascinating and interesting and love having them around.
ReplyDeleteBravo My dear, more of us should have an open door to the young.I have three teens and have always welcomed their friends to be a part of our family as well.They all have treated us with great respect and kindness and that's all they ask in return.Such a simple act!
ReplyDeleteWow 50 miles, that is crazy.I am sure they were very hungry by the time they arrived.
Fabulous home and so happy I found your blog.I will be back for another visit.~Cheers Kim
what a great deal!
ReplyDeleteThis is so nice to hear. I feel the same way. Except I don't cook ~ but I have been known to order a few mean pizza's. I think everyone made out pretty well at your home. Kudos to you:)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! I so agree with you, with two children, well, teenagers... I worry about their lives in this changing world. The stress is overwhelming some days in their young lives and the more they can stay grounded and just enjoy the simple things in life the better they will be as they grow older.
Your cooking must be fantastic!! what else needs painting?
Sending you lots of love from down under,
xxxx hugs Coty
That's a very lovely post. Mine are past being teenagers but it was lovely to have their friends hanging about! Would these ones like to come to Australia...I've got lots of walls need painting!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! What a lovely exchange of opportunities for everyone. Loved this story and your barn! You're a lucky one to live where you live...keep on sharing your stories with us...it's uplifting.
ReplyDeletewe encourage the barter system as much as possible!! and this post Sharon was beautifully written....I loved it.
ReplyDeletexo+blessings,
Anne Marie
beautiful sentiments. my 16 year old son thanks you for your confidence in teens! It is refreshing...
ReplyDeleteOur young people are our hopes and dreams for the future and they are wonderful!!! If only everyone like you had as much respect for them things would be so much better...applause for you my friend!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I love teenageers too and always open my home and kitchen to whoever of my kids friends wants.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog too.
Hugs,
Lisa