Posted in Thoughts

My children never cease to amaze me. For the last couple of weeks I've been talking about this book. 'Do Hard Things'!  My 13 yr old and I have been reading it and using the study guide they offer. It's been quite eye opening!!

Well, yesterday I was once again faced with my own low expectations!! My 10 yr old reminded me that when we purchased the book it was something the three of us would do during school. After starting it, I thought it was geared more towards 'teens' so I decided just my oldest and I would do it. WRONG!! My 10 yr old is VERY interested in it. He's not a reader. He's very literal. I'll have to explain EVERYTHING to him and that will take twice as long.  These were all of the excuses that ran through my head as to why we shouldn't do it. (Do you see me hanging my head in shame?) That's just what they are excuses. If he's asking and interested, I should do it and with JOY!!!

So, not only am I taking this journey with my 'teen' (I'm beginning to hate that word), but I'm also taking it with my 'little man'!!

He not only read ALL he was supposed to ~and without complaint or nudging~ but he sat right down to do the study guide with me!! HALELUJAH!!!

His answers made me shake my head in awe. He gets it!!!

One question was "Do you see advantages to two teens trying to persuade other teens to change how they think?" Kung-Fu's answer, "They're helping out younger kids learn life lessons earlier instead of learning it by themselves." OK, where did he learn THAT? (proud mama moment!:}  )

Another question was 'Do you feel average? If so, what makes you feel average?' This is his response...

"Kind of. I want to fit in and go with other kids, but I'm different than other kids. You can like the same things, but you're different. You're 1/2 average and 1/2 not."

One last one I want to share with you is this~ the question asked was "In what ways does popular culture misrepresent what the teen years are for?" I explained to him what 'popular culture' was and his answer..."It's all about being popular and fitting in." The second part of this question was "If you believed, truly believed, that low expectations were ripping you off, what's one thing that might change?" He answered it with this..."I'd accomplish more. I'd get to do more!" Ok WOW!!

Oh my! This one is going to challenge my expectations also!!

I think that's what this book is trying to say. If we raise our expectations, they'll rise to meet them.

I could go on and on as to how proud I am of my children, but I'll spare you!! I know this journey is just beginning with BOTH of them!!

Hold on! I know I am!!!