Teens Dos and Don'ts
The following was in my original 1998 memoir manuscript. It and other items disappeared over time. Teenage grandchildren helped it surface. They each got a copy and a followup query. "I like it," said the 17-yr-old granddaughter. At a recent presentation I offered it to a group of seniors to pass on to their grands. When I learned extra copies were printed I queried some of the seniors. Both men and women sheepishly said, "It works for us, too." That surprised me.
AUNT SARAH'S YOUTH THINGS TO DO
Keep your real friends
Feel comfortable with your date – like you are equals
Visit your date’s home as much as your date visits your home
Clue: picking up your date isn’t a visit, eating dinner there is
Stay in extra activities: youth club, church, sports
Double date when possible
Keep your identity by creating an image you’re comfortable with
Keep busy: FREE TIME=PLAYTIME=TROUBLE TIME
Get a mentor and communicate your feelings out loud
Stay healthy: eat good food, get enough rest, exercise regularly, get physicals including
blood tests, dental and vision check-ups
Attend student activities: sports, dances, and concerts
Be active at school: student government, newspaper/annual, skits, choir/band,
orchestra, theater, sports; there’s something for each student
Relate to real and inanimate objects: stuffed animals, diary/journal, family pets listen too
Love your family by helping out at home: wash cars, rake leaves, dust,
fold clothes, wash dishes, put away groceries, mow lawn, and help with younger siblings
Be law-abiding citizens
Believe in God or have a faith system at work
Have a strong mind, spirit and body
Think before you act
Own a toolbox with wrench, hammer, pliers, screw driver, battery cables, and a battery
charger.Tools are mandatory whether you are boy or girl, car owner or rider
Enjoy being young – smile, laugh, giggle whenever the moods hits
Tell your guardian where you’re going, who you’re with and when you’re coming back
Learn to LET GO of a relationship by believing there are other people to meet
YOUTH THINGS NOT TO DO
Stay our past 12 Midnight, 11 PM is better
Stay overnight at your boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s house
Accept gifts over a certain value – say $30.00 maximum
Take off your clothes…or anything else
Use restroom with your date standing next to you
Keep quiet if you think what you’re doing is wrong
Cry a lot or feel like crying often - MENTOR NEEDED
Stay with one steady more than one school semester, 4 months maximum
Break PDA (Public Display of Affection) rule
Sex
Alcohol
Drugs
Smoke
Be rude to your parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, and other adults
Quit on life: drop out of school, shrink inside yourself
Compromise against your instincts
Believe your first girlfriend/boyfriend is forever
Why read this? BECAUSE AUNT SARAH GREW UP WITHOUT GUIDELINES
