An extension of Dandylife's topic (Impacting Others)

[gratitude28]

Hi Dandy,
I didn't want to detract from the original posting and the direction it was taking, but this topic hit home for me.
I have no idea if I impacted anyone in a positive or negatice way as a kid. But I would guess that I impacted people in a negative way because I don't think I was a very nice person.
I also have no idea what is normal for a teenager and what is awful. I hear people talking and laughing about getting drunk, having boyfriends, sex, cheating, whatever. And they don't seem traumatised by it. I feel pain for any bad thing I did, from not changing the toilet paper roll to more serious offenses. I feel like my childhood was one huge time of me being "bad." So, how do you know what is normal tween/teen behavior???????
Love, Beth

[dandylife]

Beth,
good question. There's such a huge spectrum of behaviors. I wouldn't know where to begin. I guess a good question is : who got hurt? And how? Or, did you learn from it? Or, did it lead to something more dangerous or bad?

This is a different world that our sons and daughters live in vs. the world we lived in. Kids don't seem to be shocked by much any more.

What's normal for one family, might be totally off the wall for another.

Pondering....

Dandylife

[Hopalong]

I feel pain for any bad thing I did, from not changing the toilet paper roll to more serious offenses.

Beth, ohhh I recognize that overactive conscience. It's about punishment, not awareness. Poor you, poor me, poor all children of Ns.

I think it's time for the bus to pull out for Camp Second Childhood!

We get to run around dirty, be sloppy, pick our noses, stay up late, and cuss.
(As long as we sing Kum-bah-yah after...)

xo
Hops

[gratitude28]

Hopsy,
I think that is what I do through my children. I do a lot of silly things with them - fun stuff. I love their crafts and spontaneous trips and helping them with projects. I love roller skating and going to the zoo.
I wonder if I will be OK when they are gone? Will I be an adult at last????
Love, Beth