The answer to bored teenagers

[narmour]

I saw this on another forum and just had to share it....

About time someone said it. Northland College (NZ) principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth.....

"Always we hear the cry from teenagers 'What can we do, where can we go?'...My answer is, "Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons, and after you've finished, read a book. Your town does not owe you recreational facilities and your parents do not owe you fun. The world does not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in poverty or sick and lonely again." In other words, grow up, stop being a cry baby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It's too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you."

 

[Wendy1971]

:clap: Well said that man :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

Dually noted for my two when they get a bit older...................


Hang on is 7 & 9 a bit young for that speech :wha: :wha:

:whistle: :whistle:

 

[narmour]

Dually noted for my two when they get a bit older...................


Hang on is 7 & 9 a bit young for that speech :wha: :wha:

:whistle: :whistle:

Absolutely not!!! the earlier kids are taught that the world doesn't owe them anything the better I reckon.

I'm just looking forward to the first time mine say they're bored!! as my Mum always used to say "I'll find you something to do". Worked every time!! :thumb:

 

[Baz Chaz]

Agreed, very well said....

As kids in the 1960's there was very little money about, no car, no telephone, we did odd jobs, had milk or paper rounds and saved like hell for fishing gear. I loved it in winter, clearing snow from the house fronts sometimes got tanner a go. Everyone had coal fires then, so I chopped kindling in our back and flogged it for a few pennies a bundle, made a nice few bob. Added it to my chrismas tips from the paper round one year and blew it all in Hallsworths tackle shop in Dalton Square on a new rod and reel, my old Dad was pleased as hell I'd 'wasted' all my money on something I really wanted. Didn't half look after it as well, all the fishing gang were slightly envious of my new gear when I got it, but there was suddenly a waiting list for paper rounds :thumb:


Funnily enough I'm being picked up by an old mate later this afternoon and we're off fishing for the evening, still get as excited as ever, never grown up :nah: :lol:

 

[TRXnMe]

I grew up in the country side, if I said I was bored I'd end up digging the garden, or cleaning the house, you only make that mistake a couple of times

My summers spent out and about, my winters building shelters out of fallen branches and roofingn them with turf and leaves :)

As I got older I got more interesting pass times, a mate who had been doing part time work on one of the farms got a 12 gauge, now that upped the anti. We were soon out rabbiting, or shooting pigeons, often being paid by both the farmer and the game merchant, it wasn't long before I had my own gun (had to store it at my mate's, had my parents known I'd have been dead). Two guns close to doubled our earnings, we could 'employ' other kids to beat and pick for us.

When I started work at 16 I actually earnt less than the shooting had been bringing in, however I was sensible enough to make the apprenticeship my priority.

I've not fired a gun now for 20 years, not held one for 15 years, I do occasionally wish I could get shooting prviledges fro some one near where I live now, but then I look at the 'hassle' and risk of gn ownership and decide that bikes and booze (not combined) are hobby enough for me now.

My two nieces have part time jobs, but sadly they are 'run of the mill', no stalking, hunting or camaraderie