Teens are really just like little kids on the inside

By Amanda Harper
Poca High School

Children are said to be some of the smartest humans on the face of this planet. They are also said to be the most naive and innocent.

But the fact of the matter is, children are the most intriguing people I have ever had the privilege of knowing and loving. The essence of youth is not found in a bottle, in someone else, or in the thousands of dollars spent for surgery. The essence of youth is found in children’s eyes as they look at the world, the people who gave them life, and — it is hoped — a home full of love, encouragement, understanding and acceptance.

The genuine love a child gives to you is one that cannot be replaced by anything. Children love with all their hearts, and love the way they were taught. If they were taught by criticism, then they will be judgmental toward those they love. If they were taught through understanding, then they will love the person despite the flaws. Most children are taught with love, which in turn allows them to know what love is, and how and when to show it.

Teen-agers supposedly are the wild, irresponsible, ignorant, know-it-all, unappreciative people who roam about knowing what is expected of them, but who just want to have fun regardless. Parents tend to disregard teen-agers’ thoughts and feelings, claiming everything is “normal” and they don’t know what teens are talking about.

But teen-agers are not what everyone has labeled them to be. They are smart, well-rounded and educated, grateful, and as innocent as 6-year-olds. No matter how old a teen-ager gets, he will always need you. It might be just for money, or it might be for acceptance and guidance when he is afraid or has lost his way.

This generation is not at all uninformed. It has to deal with the problems that couldn’t be solved by previous generations, ones that have now escalated into epidemics.

What teens learn as children prepares them for what they will be as adults. If you label a child, he will be the label. If you encourage the child and let him choose the label, he may surprise you.

Parents are the unfair, uncommunicative people we all have come to know and love. I believe parents are doing what is in our best interests, no matter how whacked out it seems. They know no better than what they were taught from the example from their own parents, and from television. They put forth all their effort, money, time and tears into small humans, praying that all they have done will help.

Parents, don’t worry about your children. They do listen, but if you tell them the same thing over and over, it just becomes old and they stop listening. They want you to follow through with what you say. They want to know that you care.

If you care enough to yell the same thing over and over, you will get the same result and the same outcome as the last thousand times you gave the same lecture.

Teen-agers are at a time when things seem out of control. They are afraid of the future, despite what they say. They want to break away, just out of curiosity, to see if they can prove you wrong and survive. But remind them every day how much they mean to you and how much you love them. You never know what they might say back to you.

All teens want is for someone to listen, to understand where they are coming from and to tell them that it gets better. They want someone to tell them they’re not as stupid or ugly as they think. Teens need encouragement. They’re like younger kids; they need to have acceptance.

Teens do listen. They know what parents want from them. Sometimes, the pain of getting there is hard and can be too much. Don’t let them quit.

Most of the yelling teens do is for the simple fact that they are angry from school, work, practice or anything that can be stressful. Parents have stress in their lives, too. But they should talk to their children. Ask about their day and tell them about yours. Chances are, you will feel better.