Fear and Loathing in Teen Town

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I wish I had a dollar for every time I explain to my husband how being a teenager today is different than it was when he and I were young. Yeah, I know the expression is a "I wish I had a dime for every time..." but, it's 2017.

I guess, like teen-dom in this millennium, that's just another something that has changed over time. #inflation 

I digress.

The point is, if my hubby and I or our siblings or our friends had spoken to our parents the way our children now converse with us...well, let's just say some of us may not have made it to age 21, Capisce? 

For we knew well, back in the day, that we couldn't use a certain tone or inflection, let alone strong language, with our parents for fear of tossing all that money they spent on braces right out the window. In other words, even if we absolutely hated a limitation, restriction, punishment or decision from/by our Moms and Dads, we'd be swallowing teeth if we engaged in backtalk with the 'rents, you dig?

It seems children have a whole lot less of that "fear of Mom and Dad" on which we 1980s children were reared. It was a healthy, good type of fear that seems all but absent in today's generation. Or is it? For instance, even though he tends to push his curfew boundary to the very edge of the line, our son recognizes his place.

"I'm heading home right now; don't want you to be worried. See you in a few" is the typical text I receive to quell the anxiety I feel anytime Kyle is out at night ... or in a rainstorm ... or at dusk ... or during the daytime...or when it snows. OK, you get it. Mom's a worrier.

But apparently, so is her boy -- as in he doesn't want his Ma to be upset.

Fear of causing Mom mental anguish...maybe it's 1984 all over again, after all.


Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13 R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days? Alleluia Jas 1:18 The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

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