Posted in Thoughts

I started a journey last week with my 13 yr old son. We began reading the book 'Do Hard Things.' The first thing I want to tell you is 'WOW'!! It's starting to rock my socks off! (Not always a bad thing!!)

The first chapter is pretty introductory. You get to know the authors ~ Alex & Brett Harris~ and what led them to writing this book. The study guide asked some general questions that I didn't think were too challenging. Well, once again, my 'low expectations' were blown out of the water by my son.

One of the questions asked "We don't think 'average' teenagers exist. Do you feel average?" My son's answer to me was 'What's average?' Do you know that this simple statement rocked my socks!? How incredibly awesome that he doesn't know what that is!!! Hallelujah!!! I just told him to just keep thinkin' that way!!!

Another question asked was "In what ways do you think popular culture misrepresents what the teen years are for?" I gave him this example...

He has wanted to earn income for the last 3 yrs. We have been trying to come up with a creative way for him to do this. He is not old enough to get a 'conventional' job and some of the 'kiddie' jobs are no longer available to him. (I had a paper route when I was his age. Where we live they don't allow children to have paper routes. They are given to adults who can drive.) I suggested that because society has such low expectations of what a 13 yr old is capable of doing he isn't able to get a job. You should've seen the lightbulb come on!! He was not happy!!

I then proceed to ask him my own question ~ "What do you think the teen years ARE for?" His answer once again blew my socks off ~

"Well, they're for preparing me to be a man. You know, mom, like an astronaut. They have to train for a few years before they can do their job. You don't want to START learning how to be a man when you're 20. You need to be doing it by then."

Ok. Somwhere in the last 13 yrs. my hubby and I MUST'VE done something right!! Can all of you see me doing my happy dance? Of course it's at the same time that I'm blubbering like an idiot!! It's one of my 'proud mama' moments!!! HE'S GETTING IT!!!!!

 We're taking our time and going through the book nugget by nugget.  I'll share more on the next few chapters next week!! I've read ahead and....well, BLOWS MY SOCKS OFF!!