Three Things That "I" Think Every Teen Needs To Know:

1) Be courteous to everyone, but respect is earned. Respect no one and trust no one until it is earned. You can respect someone's position and uniform without respecting the person. Find the true meaning of "love" and learn to address mankind in that state of mind.

2) This world owes you nothing. Anything you want or need has to be earned by hard work. You are not special, there are millions around the world just like you. Most have the same problems. Get over it and get over yourself. You will soon reach an age that you realize how fast this life goes by. You are here one day and gone the next. Leave a legacy. It is not "about you"!

3) Nothing will ever be a substitute for hard work. In school, in sports, in life, in business, in relationships, etc.... You will never find your way around "hard work". So, go ahead and adopt a mindset of hard work now, while you are young. Move this new habit into every aspect of your life. Make it part of your new "character".

 

Yeap and #4 is how to change a flat tire and #5 is how to drive a car with a manual transmission.

In there some where is to never suffer fools. You can destroy them with humor, intelligence or simple facts but they must be destroyed.

 

I like you #4 and #5....Maybe this forum can continue to add to my list?
#6 how to handle weapons safely.

 

Respect your elders, learn from them. Please use protection during sex as it can be life changing. Put the damn phone down and experience life.

 

Get off My Lawn.

 

Some things I've been telling my daughter for a few years now: Buy the best you can afford and take care of it. The best is not always the most expensive and is seldom what everyone else is buying.
Don't be a sheep, think for yourself.
Be yourself!

 

Do NOT be like me.

 

"Don't get the cheapest, don't get the best, get what you need," has been one of my top life rules for a while.

"Act like you've been there before" has always been a favorite too...

 

Half the adults I know could use these lessons...

Say please, and thank you
Look at people in the eyes when you speak to them
The crowd isn't always where you want to be
The drama you think means the world now, will mean almost nothing down the road... relax
Be kind to people... you never know their struggles
Never bully or make fun... that kid may be your boss someday
College isn't for everyone

 

Playing devils advocate here, but why? Are you unhappy in life? If so why not make a change?

 

YOLO

 

How to cook. If it wasn't for mommy or McD's. thousands of kids would die.

 

See, I hate that crap. Too many people have used it justify stupid and destructive behavior. Drugs, risky sex, choice of people they hang out with. A great saying that has been corrupted and turned into an excuse to be a fool.

I like to counter with One life, One chance.

 

Learn to THINK rather than to believe.

 

Don't post the stuff you have for sale in other people's for sale posts.

 

learn to speak properly. nothing worse than the jibba-jabba that comes out of these kids mouths.

 

I might give it away if asked nicely....

 

Caveat to #2 and #3 - Require parents of said teens to learn and apply these rules.

 

Learn the basics of finance - credit cards, retirement/401(k), mortgage vs rent, monthly budget (pay yourself first), interest rates, etc.
Learn to do laundry
Know how to change a tire (already said) and check air pressure

 

This is very timely because I ripped into my 80 year old dad yesterday when he asked me how my 23 year old son was doing after an overtime loss to Robert Morris University this past Saturday. I told him that I could really give a flying fvck how he was doing...I've raised a kid that is a stellar athlete but who can't balance a checkbook or even bother himself to check his oil (which was 2 quarts low).

My kid is actually fairly good and will be graduating this spring, but I failed in the life lessons because I was too busy taking him to practices and worrying about his athletics. On the other hand I fully believe my 20 year old daughter could run a small town successfully. Probably because I didn't pay enough attention to her when she was younger so she figured things out herself.

I know this thread is about teenagers but my 23 year old son is basically 16.