No Teenagers Allowed!

I admit that I am a very opinionated person. Lately I have done a lot of pondering, reading, praying, and thinking about one subject in particular, and I feel that I should share it here on my blog.

The thought is this:

I don't allow teenagers to live in my home.

That's it!

How, you are wondering, do my children who are age 13 and up still reside in our home?

The answer is, they live happy lives, complete with privileges and outside activities, as long as they don't act like obnoxious "teenagers." And, lucky for them AND me, very few teenagers ever show up around here. ;-D

So what is the definition of a teenager? Well, first I'll give you MY definition, and then I'll ask my three older kids (ages 16, 14, and 13) what THEIR definitions are and put their responses in my next blog post.


Teenagers do these things:

1. Display a bad attitude.
2. Are glued to their cell phones.
3. Text others when with someone in person.
4. Constantly obsess about members of the opposite sex.
5. Do not follow the principles clearly laid out in the "For the Strength of Youth" booklet.
6. Treat younger siblings with contempt.
7. Tear their family members down.
8. Avoid family activities.
9. Complain about chores, family activities, parental decisions, church duties,... (Fill in the blank here!)
10. Use phrases like "This is stupid," and "I'm BORED."
11. Care more about what their FRIENDS think, than what their parents and family thinks.

When I teach my weekly Shakespeare class to youth ages 12 and up, my number one rule is "No Teenagers Allowed!"

My class often looks at me, puzzled. I explain that I have no desire to teach "teenagers." That "teenagers" are not teachable, and are no fun to be with!

Then I let them know that I LOVE teaching Young Adults. Young Adults are more enjoyable to be around because they're respectful, they're kind, they're WAAAY more fun to be around than silly teenagers who like to roll their eyes, text on their phones, want to talk only about boys/girls, and refuse to participate and try new things.


Young Adults do these things:

1. They are excited about life!
2. They genuinely care about others.
3. They are content to just be friends and wait until they're older and more mature to start obsessing about members of the opposite sex. They don't pair off until they're ready to seek out a marriage partner.
4. They are courageous and are not afraid to try new things-- even if it's something potentially "embarrassing".
5. They are not afraid to stand up for what's RIGHT and follow the principles in the "For the Strength of Youth" booklet, even when a crowd of teenagers is pressuring them to "be like everyone else."
6. They like to have good, clean fun with other Young Adults.
7. They honor their parents, and show kindness to their siblings.
8. They like spending time with their families.
9. They ask their parents for advice, and respect their opinions.
10. They help around the house, and honorably fulfill their duties at home and at church.
11. They can TOTALLY be trusted!

Young Adults are AWESOME!!! :-)


Can you see why I'm not interested in having any teenagers around here? ;-)