October 23, 2007
The kind of Teenager I was:
Seen in the kitchen of her Mother’s beautifully manicured and spotlessly maintained home, said Teenager takes out a cracker, eats it and places the crumbs just so upon the perfectly disinfected counter top, almost as a love note to her Mother. Later in day, said Teenager is seen rolling her eyes and snarling in the face of the preposterous Mother for attempting to ask said Teenager to do some cleaning (the nerve). Said Teenager then laughs in her parent’s faces (since she knows this method proves the most effective in successfully making their blood boil and drive them insane) as they tell her to be home by 11 pm. A mean remark to her younger sister that she’ll carry with her throughout her whole life and a disgusted glare over her shoulder on the way out the door tops off the daily routine.
Said Teenager then meets up with girlfriends, gossips for a few hours before heading out and then manages to collect a few car keys at the big party while remaining sober and untouched by any male counterparts the entire night. Has a good time, as usual, and to top off the nightly routine, arrives home 2 hours late in an attempt to kill off her parents. Death by ulcers.
The kind of Teenager Mike was:
Seen in the kitchen of his Mother’s beautifully manicured and spotlessly maintained home, said Teenager takes it upon himself to clear the dinner table and do the dishes without being asked, all the while making his Mother laugh uncontrollably as he tells her a story. Later on, said Teenager is seen asking his Mother how HER day was (can you imagine?), validating any emotions she may have about her annoying boss and then gives her a compliment on her latest painting. A playful wrestling match with his younger brother and a quick conversation with his younger sister on the way out the door tops off the daily routine.
Said Teenager then goes out for the night, steals a motorcycle with his friends, gets in a pointless parking lot brawl and then samples a few not-FDA approved substances. Oh and then skips school again the next day much to the dismay of all his Teachers who adore him and to the dismay of his Father who, uh, TEACHES AT THE SCHOOL.
So, knowing that both Teenagers grow up into happy, well-adjusted and WILDLY successful adults, which would YOU prefer to raise? The one who makes your home life a living hell for 3 years straight but was a downright ANGEL out in the real world? Or the one who’s an angel at home, kind, helpful, hilarious, someone you actually WANT to be around but then also has a wild streak in him? And did YOU fit into either category? And is it possible that Delaney will magically retain BOTH kinds of the admiral qualities of her parents? Is there a mutant Teenage life form out there who is the best of both worlds? It’s possible…… right?
Me in high school. This pic is from a dance I went to with the red-headed dude and some other amigos.
Mike in high school. Isn’t he CUTE! This pic is from his birthday. His kid brother and sister made him a t-shirt, which he wore for YEARS.
On another note, I have never seen him with his magical afro. Stupid Army.
Posted by Jamie @ 2:22 pm • Mike, random goodness
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October 23rd, 2007 at 2:37 pm, dcrmom Says:
Hi. Mutant teenage lifeform here.
Actually, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was as wonderful as Mike around the house. I was a girl, after all. Our emotions just get the best of us more often than not. But I was a pretty “good girl” and my mom and I had a lot of fun together. When I wasn’t being a hormonal witch, lol.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:48 pm, Becca Says:
Hey,
Yep, I was a good girl too. I was pretty nice around the house, although my room stayed a wreck to the dismay of my OCD-ish mother. Nice in the outside world, too. With any adolescent female, you have the typical meltdowns for no apparent reason, but that’s to be expected. DH, on the other hand, was a nightmare all around. Yippee! He may pay for his raising with these boys, as the saying goes, but I’ll be the one on the front lines every day at home while he’s at work. At least DH has the ability to charm anyone and everyone, so people still loved him despite his ridiculous behavior. And he got over it to become a
phenomenal Children’s Pastor.
Oh, and Mike was SO cute in high school. That’s a great picture. Mike, I know you don’t know me, but please bring back the hair. It’s too good to keep from your wife. You’re depriving her of your natural beauty. (hahaha– that’ll probably make him shave it extra close next time)!
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:50 pm, Jess Says:
I’d rather raise the first kind. At least that way there are no horrid surprises. And I’d be suspicious of any kid who was that nice at home anyway.
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm, Tam Says:
Ooooh, tough, tough call. Would I know what the sweet-at-home teen was up to when out of the house? Hmmm…the punk-at-home would always be under suspicion from me that they were up to no good outside and who needs THAT hanging between you? That really is a tough call and I cannot commit, at this time, to an answer ;). And. Oh my Lord, he really was (is) quite adorable!
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:38 pm, owlhaven Says:
Are those the only two options? Because I want more options….. But you both sure are adorable!
Mary
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm, June Cutoff Cash Says:
This whole thing kind of reminds me of Goofus and Gallant, from Highlights Magazine. Goofus was always terrible, while Gallant was always good. Naturally, I wanted to sleep with Goofus, and I probably did in high school.
Wow, which is worse? I guess Mike would be worse. But, again, old cougar here, how HOT is he in that photo!? Man!
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:30 pm, Chandra Says:
You two are adorable!! Mike, I’m loving the hair!! As for which teen I’d prefer, I’m with Mary, more options please…. like me for instance. A perfect little teenager that tried to maintain peace in a houseful of children that was overworked and under appreciated (exaggerated? maybe). Thanks for the entertainment as usual.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:27 am, misty Says:
Love his high school hair!!!
I would be more like your husband… Angel at home, hell out side of home. I have no idea which I’d rather parent… As a mom, your post slightly scared me
Ha!
October 24th, 2007 at 1:47 pm, Julie Says:
I LOVE the magical afro.
That’s a hard choice… how about angel at home/angel away from home? Yep, that’s what I’m trying to raise.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:32 pm, emily Says:
I may need more options as well. I spent a little time as both teenagers!
October 24th, 2007 at 5:03 pm, sari Says:
I’m just glad I have only boys. At least I won’t have to deal with a teenaged version of myself in the coming years, ha ha!
Cute pictures!
October 25th, 2007 at 1:36 am, chou2 Says:
Love those high school photos - you were (ARE) both adorable.
I was the do-gooder easy and compliant kid - my sister took on the role of the rebel one. So my parents still got to experience both kids… just all the tough stuff in her and the easy stuff in me.
I kind of regret trying to hard to be good and nice all the time - should have sown more wild oats when the consequences were so minimal!!
October 26th, 2007 at 3:07 pm, my minivan is faster than yours Says:
Just out of curiosity, in both of these scenarios are the teenagers potty-trained? Because at this point that’s all I really want in life.
I think I may have missed the point, though. AGAIN!!
October 26th, 2007 at 9:49 pm, Erin O' Says:
OMG!!! You dated Carrot-Top in high school?!
Mike has AMAZING hair. Stupid Army is right.
I was like you, terrible at home, an angel in public.