As a kid, I was relatively well-behaved; I excelled academically, had great friends, and genuinely enjoyed spending time with my family—even through my teenage years. I like to think I turned out to be a decent adult, too. I’m a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, sister, and generally a contributing member of society.
But here’s the kicker: during my formative years, especially those tumultuous teenage years, I made some incredibly foolish choices. As my children inch closer to their own teenage years, my greatest hope is that they steer clear of the same reckless behavior I once indulged in.
The silver lining is that I managed to dodge severe consequences during my escapades—mostly due to sheer luck. My teenage antics unfolded in the late 20th century, long before the age of smartphones, social media, and the endless documentation of our every move. For today’s youth, navigating these experiences is far more complicated. Here are a few examples of the absurdities I engaged in that I genuinely wish my kids will circumvent:
1. Driving Without a License
In my early teens, my friends and I thought it would be entertaining to take a joyride. The fact that we didn’t have licenses or any real understanding of driving didn’t deter us. One Saturday evening, while our parents were out, we pilfered a neighbor’s enormous Oldsmobile for a spin around the block. Aside from a few erratic stops and some tire tracks on the lawn, we somehow made it back without incident. But what if something had gone wrong? It’s a miracle we didn’t injure ourselves or anyone else. In hindsight, I can’t believe how reckless that was.
2. Drinking Cooking Wine in the Basement
The first time I ever tasted alcohol—aside from a sip of my dad’s beer—was at a friend’s party in their basement. With nothing to occupy our time, we decided to indulge in some cooking wine we found. The result? A night filled with nausea and regret. We got sick, threw up, and passed out. What if we had overindulged? The situation could have turned dire, but in our youthful ignorance, we didn’t consider the repercussions.
3. Breaking Major School Rules
My high school enforced strict regulations, especially since a majority of the students were boarders. As a day student with a driver’s license (thanks to my earlier escapades), I thought I could rebel by driving my boarding friends into town for some fun. We had our secret rendezvous behind the bakery and returned before curfew. We never got caught, but the risk of expulsion loomed large. Had we been caught, it could have derailed our futures.
4. Going on a Dubious Spring Break Trip
Remember those enticing promotions for senior spring break trips at rock-bottom prices? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! I decided to join one such sketchy trip to the Bahamas, where flights were suspiciously cheap. We made it there and back without incident, but only later did we learn the airline had gone bankrupt due to safety violations. The thought of what could have happened still unnerves me. I can’t even recall some of the more questionable choices we made while there—thankfully, I think I’ve blocked them out.
Looking back at my youth, I often question my judgment. I was a good kid, but I hadn’t yet developed the critical thinking skills necessary to foresee the consequences of my actions. Most teenagers are similarly oblivious to the potential fallout of their decisions. They often don’t pause to think about the “what ifs.”
As an adult and a parent, I now see the world through a lens of caution. My hope is that I can share my experiences to guide my children away from recklessness. While I know I can’t prevent all mistakes—and I accept that they’ll make their own foolish choices—I genuinely hope they will be wiser about their decisions.
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Summary
Reflecting on my teenage years, I recognize the foolish decisions I made and hope my children avoid similar paths. From joyrides to questionable drinking choices, I’ve learned that many teens lack foresight. As a parent, I strive to guide my kids wisely while acknowledging they will inevitably make mistakes of their own.
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