Kids These Days
At dinner with my parents and their long-time friends, we were sharing our “rose, bud, and thorn,” a dinner table protocol in our home.
After my boys shared their roses - "I ate a donut," and "I played on the swings," my parents’ friend Dave, a former teacher and big, deep-voiced, gruff guy, choked up before sharing his:
“Today I visited my granddaughter** at U of M. When I talk to her and other young people today, I am so impressed by how thoughtful they are. How articulate and mature they are. And I have to thank teachers for this.”
His wife Joanne chimed in: “Unfortunately the media doesn’t show this. Young people now are so much smarter than I was at their age. So much more engaged.”
My first thought: “Man, I hope I’m that positive when I’m 70.”
But my second thought was to acknowledge how spot-on they were (although they missed the part about how teachers and parents are to thank – probably playing to their audience). When I think about our students, Eagle Scholars or not, I don’t see the cliche teenager: narcissistic, superficial, entitled. I see selfless, deep-thinking, and resilient kids, some thriving despite unspeakable traumas which would have sunken most healthy adults. I see kids who inspire me with their focus, determination, creativity, and insight. Not to sound corny, but I see hope.
So when your kids come this week with papers in the wrong folders, lost homework, lost phones, lost glasses, Cs on quizzes, a note from the teacher about drooling on the desk, remember that smart, thoughtful, engaged people recognize that your kids are pretty darned awesome. That despite the criticism, “kids these days” are well-suited to take care of us someday—as long as we get out of their way.
photo credit: https://sailinganarchy.com/2019/04/24/get-off-my-lawn/
**Side note: Dave's granddaughter shares a dorm with Sasha Obama; one of our grads, Zach Lassen, was quoted in a recent story about the former first daughter.
Something else worth reading: "Practice Makes Perseverance," By Angela Duckworth
Wayne State Partnership
More here: https://federaltrio.wayne.edu/upward
We will have 5-10 of our scholars enrolling in this program this fall. Please contact me if I have not reached out and you believe you may qualify.
The South Redford Eagle Scholars Program
Email: rory.hughes@southredford.org
Website: eaglescholars.southredford.org
Location: 26249 Schoolcraft Avenue, Redford Charter Township, MI, United States
Phone: 313-444-2590
Facebook: facebook.com/eaglescholarsprogram
