Having an Older Teen’s Perspective and Insight

It was only two years ago when Philip entered his freshman year at Hermes High School. Over what seems like an absurdly brief period of time, Philip has grown seven inches taller and perhaps that much wiser. He seems to understand himself better and he also seems to understand why his peers think and act the way they do. When his friend Joshua sent a dozen text messages in a half an hour’s time because Philip didn’t respond immediately to the first text immediately, Philip merely shrugged it off concluding that it is something some teenagers simply do.

Getting off to a Bad Start

Normally, boring adults like me only get to witness such things by watching teen dramas on television. But I guess it makes sense that volunteering to chaperon an end-of-summer teen dance sponsored by the Hermes High School Cheer Squad put me right where all that might be gossip-worthy would appear. Only three adults witnessed the “event of the evening” and I was one. And since one of the three was Liana’s mother, it was really only two adults who were privileged to witness Liana’s crowning act in making a foolish spectacle of herself.

Eagerly Anticipating Middle School

Chloe has enjoyed the summer. It has been filled with all kinds of special events. She hosted a great birthday-sleepover party shortly after the school year ended. Not long after Chloe spent a week as Gayle’s guest for her family vacation. Our family hosted plenty of guests for a barbeque and then a neighborhood view of the fireworks on Independence Day. Chloe’s cousin Joelle visited our family for a week. Ashley and her family also visited for a couple days. As summer drew to a close, Chloe and her brother Philip spent a week camping with Jasmine, Joshua, Debbie and Abby. Chloe has also gotten to spend lots of time with other friends, including Holly and Patty.

A Fun Place to Sleep When a Friend Visits

Unlike all Chloe’s other friends, Jasmine lives less than a five minute walk from our house. When we hear an unexpected knock on the door, we usually conclude it is Jasmine. In this manner, Chloe ends up spending a lot of time with Jasmine. Together Chloe and Jasmine walk into town for simple things like an ice cream or a candy bar. At other times they head off together to see a movie.

The Simple Joy of Family Television Time

The television is often portrayed as the enemy of family life and the relationship between parents and children in particular. It is “the boob tube” or “the one-eyed babysitter” when criticized in this manner. But recently, I have come to a different conclusion in my own mind.

An Extended Family Visit

Joelle is the oldest daughter of my wife Ameila’s cousin Tom. Growing up, Amelia and Tom were close, though they saw each other much less once the college years began. Joelle is just fourteen months older than Chloe. Tom, Joelle and their family live a long airplane flight away, but Tom has made it a point to visit our family whenever he has had an extended business visit to our part of the country.

The Season When Friendship Always Trumps the Social Hierarchy

Less than a month earlier, Britney was an ever-present nuisance when it came to Chloe’s efforts to spend time with Gayle. That was when school was still in session. But Chloe’s fortunes quickly changed once school was over. Summer vacation was not even ten days old when Chloe received an offer she would not have even thought possible back when school was in session. Chloe was Gayle’s choice as the friend to bring along on a family vacation to her grandparents’ home at a popular vacation destination.