10 Lessons I’ve Learned from My 20-Year-Old
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| 1st birthday & 2nd Christmas! |
It’s official.
I am no longer the mother of a teenager.
Jonathon turned 20 today.
I tried to think about all the things that make him the unique kid…er…young man he is.
But rather than try to describe him in flowery prose, I thought I’d simply share some of the things I never would have learned without him in my life over the last two decades.
1. C4 = the Combination to Any Lock
Jonathon’s nickname is “Rico”: as in “Kaboom-kaboom-kaboom?”…”Enough with the dynamite already!” (think Madagascar penguins!)
2. Goodwill: the Only Place to Shop
Jonathon wears shorts and t-shirts year-round. He shops at the Goodwill because he hates the idea of paying full price. He goes on Wednesday because all clothes are 1/2-price. (Needless to say, he has more money in savings than the rest of the family combined!)
3. I Need an Official Conscience
I nick-named Jonathon “Jiminy Cricket” back when he was just a little tyke because of the way he insisted on keeping me on the straight and narrow. No bending of rules or truth allowed!
4. The Importance of The Stick.
I learned years ago never to ask, “What is this?” when encountering a new stick on the couch or in the bathtub. Jonathon would simply say, “A stick?!?” in a voice that communicated, “You can identify foreshadowing in literature but you don’t recognize a simple stick when you see one?” Boys and sticks. Don’t get it. No longer question it.
5. There’s No Such Thing as Enough Pizza
Jonathon’s favorite food is pizza, and he’s become quite the gourmet pizza-maker. We discovered this fabulous counter-top pizza oven when he headed off to college. I now have several of them for when I need to feed a crowd!
6. How to Make a Beatnik Costume
During his senior year, Jonathon’s class threw a 50’s-themed party. Most of the boys dressed in jeans, white t-shirts, and slicked-back hair. However, Jonathon’s full beard presented a non-negotiable obstacle to achieving the James Dean look. Amazingly, we were able to find a black turtleneck and beret at Ross in May, and he was the token Beatnik of the bash!
7. Quartets are Habit-Forming
Yes, his father’s been part of a gospel quartet for over a decade. But still, there’s something amazing about seeing my boy get up front with his buddies and hearing them break out in four-part harmony! (And in case you’re worried that I can’t count, they added an honorary 5th member when they did Valentine’s Day singing telegrams!)
8. Shorts are All-Weather Clothes
When I was a kid, I hated being forced to wear a jacket or even a sweater. I was never cold, so I always stripped off the item and lost it. Then I got into trouble for losing something I hadn’t wanted to wear in the first place! So when it became clear that Jonathon inheritied my thermostat and he said he didn’t need pants for daily wear, I didn’t buy them for him. (Okay, that’s not quite the full truth: I always bought one pair at the Goodwill, just in case…which never actually happened!) Now, he’s made quite a name for himself as the kid who wears shorts regardless of the weather.
9. Lego Video Games Have No Age Limit
I have to confess that I teared up a little when Jonathon texted me that he’d like the Lego Lord of the Rings video game for Christmas. So glad he’s not all grown up quite yet!
10. Introverts are Powerful People
I’ve known since Jonathon was a toddler that he’s a true-blue introvert. So when I was offered a pre-publication copy of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, I jumped at the chance to order it. As soon as it arrived, I gave it to Jonathon who read it cover-to-cover, and handed it back back with the admonition, “Mom, you need to read this.” (He was so right!)
Your Turn:
- What’s an important lesson you’ve learned from a child or teenager or young adult in your life?
- What’s an important addition to your life that came into your life because of a child, teen, or YA?
- Anything else on your heart!
Sounds like you raised a great son. My daughter is all grown up and on her own but I learned some amazing lessons from her while she was growing up. I wrote about many of them in my first two books. It’s remarkable what we can learn from youngsters.
Sounds like you raised a great son. My daughter is all grown up and on her own but I learned some amazing lessons from her while she was growing up. I wrote about many of them in my first two books. It’s remarkable what we can learn from youngsters.
Sounds like you raised a great son. My daughter is all grown up and on her own but I learned some amazing lessons from her while she was growing up. I wrote about many of them in my first two books. It’s remarkable what we can learn from youngsters.
Sounds like you raised a great son. My daughter is all grown up and on her own but I learned some amazing lessons from her while she was growing up. I wrote about many of them in my first two books. It’s remarkable what we can learn from youngsters.
I learned from reading this that I really miss you. I am so grateful we had that time we had for those years. Thank you…you are a wonderful friend. AND mother!
As far as learning from my teenager…I think the thing that has hit home the most lately is that once they reach a certain age, they are truly walking their own path and the most we can do is just listen if they need to talk. And when I am listening and hear her beat herself up, and want to tell her she is crazy for beating herself up…well… it makes me look in the mirror and realize I am crazy too.
I enjoyed reading about your son and what you learned from him. My oldest is about to be 14. It is hard to believe in 4 years she will be old enough to go to college. Time really has gone by fast. She was supposed to be a Christmas baby but was born 16 days left on January 6th.
God Bless,
Kim in NC