I have a suggestion: When your teenager asks you to do something, do it.

I don’t mean when he says, “Can you buy me the new Blackberry Pearl?”

The answer to that is, “No.”

“Can you take me to Costa Rica for spring break?”

Again, “No.”

Or, “Can you call my history teacher and tell her I’ve got impetigo and can’t take the test?”

Alas, “No.”

Know two things before you say yes.  Know that it may be a very long time before he asks you again and know that he will not return the favor.

“Beau, do you want to see the new Will Smith movie?”

“Why?”

UUUHHMM because a projector puts a story on a screen and sometimes people go see it.  They get popcorn and sodas.  It’s an interesting concept: some like it.

Or: “Do you want to go to Barnes and Noble?”

“For what?”

OOOHH too browse, look at books perhaps purchase a novel or two it’s really considered a treat in some countries.

Despite the lack of participation in the mutual respect and admiration club, if he says the following, try to say yes, try.

“Can you help me with my homework? “

Sure I’d love nothing better then to relive my seventh grade algebraic nightmare right here with you at the kitchen table.

“Will you take me out to practice my driving?”

Sure I’d love to put my life in my hands with your erratic teenage impulses guiding us down a windy country road.

So when Beau asked me if I was going to watch the VCU game, I said yes.

But let’s be honest it wasn’t really an invitation per say, but sort of.

And while we are being honest, I’ll admit I do like to hang out with Beau, mostly because we don’t get too that much but also because he’s smart, funny and oh yeah, because he’s mine.

Even more honest, let’s admit that he’s not super keen on hanging with me.  That’s normal, that’s fine, that’s expected but if one day he does decide to clue in to how really super cool I am then who am I to deny him.
What I really wanted to do was take a six-pack into the bedroom with my six new library books and 32 pillows but I didn’t and needless to say by half time I was fading.

“Did you see that move?”

Jerk awake, “Yes, yes, brilliant if it was on the inside of my eyelids then I saw every muscle twitch of it.”

Let’s just say the second half was a bit blurry but I woke up in time to see the final Hail Mary hit all rim. 
I suppose it might have been a bit more of what one would call quality time if I had been awake but I’ll take an A for effort rather then execution and hope for better next time; if there is a next time.

Posted in • Can I Tell You Something?
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