Teens are great!!

[JodyLynC]

Inspired by Teens are mean thread. Although I know that yes, some are very mean. Others are absolutely wonderful!! So please tell me about some great teens or pre-teens you know.

I know a group of teens in our area that collect can goods for a local food bank. They are always polite and mannerly. I really enjoy seeing them.

In our elementary school, every Kindergartener is assigned a 5th grade buddies. These 10/11 yo's go out of their way to make the K's feel welcome. They touch base with them every week and sometimes do activities together. I got to see this in action at the girls' class holiday party. The 5th graders had "received" letters from Santa to deliver to their buddies. Each 5th grader carefully wrote a loving letter from Santa and read it to their little K. Other kids brought in pencils or candy and for the little ones. It was wonderful to see the complete joy on both the Ks and the 5th graders!

 

[MushyMushy]

This is something I noticed when I was pregnant with my first, and then it was the same with my second.

I can't tell you how many times I'd go to walk into a store or mall (when I was showing), either when I was pregnant or pushing a stroller, that older people would let the door shut in my face rather than keep it open those last few seconds for me to grab. It never failed, if I was going in at the same time as a teenager, they would either hold it open for me and wait for me to go first, or they'd leave it open for me to grab. It got to be a game for me every time I'd go out to make note of this.

And it would be any teenager -- girls, boys, preppy ones, clean-cut ones, punk ones, skaters, goth kids -- any!

I wonder how many of those older people would grumble about "kids these days."

 

[JodyLynC]

This is something I noticed when I was pregnant with my first, and then it was the same with my second.

I can't tell you how many times I'd go to walk into a store or mall (when I was showing), either when I was pregnant or pushing a stroller, that older people would let the door shut in my face rather than keep it open those last few seconds for me to grab. It never failed, if I was going in at the same time as a teenager, they would either hold it open for me and wait for me to go first, or they'd leave it open for me to grab. It got to be a game for me every time I'd go out to make note of this.

And it would be any teenager -- girls, boys, preppy ones, clean-cut ones, punk ones, skaters, goth kids -- any!

I wonder how many of those older people would grumble about "kids these days."

I ran into these kids as well. Both when I was pregnant or pushing a stroller. It was almost always a teen or pre-teen holding the door for me.

I've also taken my girls to game rooms in which an older kid would give my girls a stuffed animal. Apparently, some kids don't care about the prizes. They just love the thrill of winning!

 

[Danauk]

I volunteer at a local theatre and we have lots of great teenagers who help out there too. They give up their evenings and weekends to help set up for shows, help move sets around during performances etc and they are really nice to sit and chat to. Plus I have been involved in the guides and scouts and have met many great teenagers who are involved in those activities too. Also in the school I work in our 11 year olds regularly go help out at break times in the pre school. They play with them, join in activities outside with them, read to them etc. The pre school teacher says they are great as they do all that and watch the time to make sure they are back in their classroom for the start of their next lesson.

 

[pls5286]

The group of teens that I "ran" with in high school, we were all volunteers on the local Rescue Squad and traind First Responders. We assisted the Ambulance service with both medical and trauma calls during the day or night. We ran at all hours except while school was in session. We could actually have our radios on during extra cirricular activities, but not during school hours. Now you know why "ran" is in quotes. Several of us went on to have carreer in the public safety field after high school as well.

 

[Buckalew11]

I also know some really nice teenagers. I think when they do volunteering it helps them see beyond themselves. My teen went through hell and back because of the mean ones so it has been extremely refreshing getting to know some really nice teens this year with a new circle of friends.

I know a lot of older teens when are very nice. It always makes me happy to know the world isn't 'going to heck in a handbasket' because of the 'youth of today' like some people will talk about.

 

[binny]

Well let me tell you about our youth group!

We volunteer there and in the summer we bring our girls with us. They have adopted our girls like their own little sisters. You all know Karissa has some issues well she has her "Big boys" that she absolutely adores. They just happen to be 3 of the most popular guys we have, so they set the precedents, and you should see them with her!

They play with her and hang out with her and make sure nobody messes with her. Its amazing! I have told their parents on several occasions how much I appreciate them because they really are amazing young men!

I know that I can let my girls run around there in the summer while I'm in the kitchen or whatever and they will be fine. I wouldn't do that with most people but these kids are so wonderful with both of them I think my girls will have a harder time leaving the youth group kids than they will their own classmates.


If I can take a minute to brag on my own teen as well, he is a pretty amazing kid too! He is the first in line when word comes of a volunteer activity regularly goes down to the Mission to help out with whatever they need and is just overall a GREAT kid.

I am so blessed to have all of these wonderful examples of teens in our lives! I have great hope for the future or our country if there are more like these out there

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I agree, teens are great! I drive a school bus and my high school run is great! They keep me laughing. I have had the experiences that others have posted , like a teen holding the door, and I have watched my own kids do these things. My oldest son works at the convenience store and will go out and pump gas for the elderly.

 

[Stitchfans]

Yes I admit I just had a conversation with one of the police officers at the high school I work at just before we left for winter break. I was on break eating my lunch when he joined me. He had made a comment about how much louder the kids were now. I just laughed and said they were excited because they would soon have 2 weeks off.

In the conversation I had said that IMO to often the "bad kids" are the ones who are often remembered and talked about which was a real shame. The "good ones" outnumber the "bad ones" but yet it is the "bad ones" that people remember.

There are some really good, talented, smart, great kids in that school. Shame the ones who feel the need to act out bring the others down sometimes.

I hate referring to any of them as good or bad, but in reality that is the way it is.

 

[pfishgirl]

My son who is 18 now, has always been a "helper" without me even telling him he should.. I have seen him hold doors for people.. Young or Old.. No matter how long it took for someone to get through the door..

Once, in the grocery store we were sorta following a pregnant woman with a toddler in the basket and my son, who was 16 at the time, would take things off the top shelf or bend down for the low shelves for this woman.. Plus every time her daughter "accidently" dropped her toy over the edge, he would pick it up and give it to her.. She just giggled and Oops there it goes again.. The woman commented loud enough for my son to hear, how thoughtful he was, and patient with little ones and that I must be so proud of him, and it was very refreshing to see there are still young men out there who were considerate of others, even a complete stranger.. Of course, DS, turned red and pretended not to hear..

He is an EMT/EMS First Aid Volunteer in our town and he also is part of a Peer Leadership group for run-a-ways, abused & neglected kids..




Oh... and some of his friends are Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteers

 

[GothTink]

Teens are wonderful!!! Every day I am so touched by the kindness I see between them (on my MySpace and forum, many talk about how they are bullied and it's so cool to see them empathize and offer advice). I think many people judge teens by the way they dress or look, which is so sad. Most teens, I've found, are incredible people who just want to be heard.

 

[monkey68]

Can I nominate my cousin as a great teen? Although he's exiting his teenhood soon, he's already 18, but was always a great kid. He doesn't do anything extraordinary, but he's got a good head on his shoulders, and includes everyone. He was never embarrassed by his family, his dad has always been his best friend. When he was 14, he started volunteering in the summer with the youth hockey summer program as a volunteer coach. Now that he's older and plays junior hockey, he helps out with youth programs, helping to run clinics and things like that. He absolutely adores his nieces, and is one of the nicest, most polite young men you would ever meet. He's not afraid of hard work or challenging himself.

Can you tell I am proud of my little cousin?