Talkin About Teens Thursday

New Cars.....

You have all undoubtly started to or have gone through drivers training, and have a new driver in your home. We will be starting child number three behind the wheel this spring.

All of our kids were blessed with a free car the first year or so of their driving career. These cars are usually very old and last a few years. The oldest a van someone no longer needed, the next a nice 4 door and the one not yet driving also a nice 4 door. ( we have not yet gotton this one but it is promised to us). Then each has worked to buy their own and gotton it just prior to the old used car they were given was ready to be junked. ( exception of the last one) We consider this such a blessing! ( they really do need a car to go to work and earn the money needed to support the car so the free car is such a help)

Our oldest son was recently involved in an accident on ice. ( he is fine) He bought and paid for this car himself and put quite a bit into repairs recently. Due to the age of the car it was declared totalled. So we are helping him find another good used car.

Our next oldest son just purchased his first car this week. A nice Exterra. He had planned on getting a loan so he could build his credit. ( like his brother did) Guess what? No loans are being given for used older cars from independant dealers anymore. Nor can he get a credit card and the list goes on... how is a young adult suppost to start with a credit score if he has no way to build the credit? I guess that is another story. He paid cash for it. He works hard and saved the money and that is comendable but his plan to build credit for the future was squashed.

By the way our youngest daughter who is quite a few years from driving has already picked out what type of car she wants and plans to save for it and be ready to buy. I just hope we can find that red jeep wrangler she has in mind!

So whats the purpose of the post: plan early for your teens car, help them understand the cost of the purchase, the cost of upkeep, insurance ect long before they can actually drive. Ask around for a first car. You never know what folks will give you!

We set down rules for our kids long before they got their first car. They have to be working enough to pay for the car,repairs. taxes, and insurance. And most of all they have to be responsible drivers.

Sorry no pictures of the new car ( sons) at this time. Picked up a virus on two different computers through Photobucket this past month. So I am leary at the moment to use them.

Thursday Talkin About Teens

A while back dd1 ask if she could buy her friends guitar. We approved but were puzzled by her sudden interest in a new musical instrument as she showed no previous interest in playing the guitar. ( she plays piano and sings) Its her brother who has all the guitars and equipment.

I am pleased to say she spends hours learning how to play. It is a pleasure to hear melodious sounds coming from two sides of the hall upstairs. She seems to be, with the help of her brother and a friend, learning quickly.

Meanwhile dd2 is burning up the books...She has read 16 novels since September. She is also honing her skills in the Chinese language, chinese culture, and drawing.

So why do I mention all of this? These are topics my children are self taught in. Guided only by the delight of wanting to learn. All three of them spend hours doing what they love to learn without prompting from parents or any formal lessons. Often we have to tell them to please put "it" away and go to bed!

The oldest ( who is now married) still plays at his work. What he grew up learning on his own became his passion and his occupation.

It is good to evaluate what your child does naturally. What delights them? Are you leaving time in their day for creative delight learning? Are you providing resources for it? Do you support what they are passionate about?

Thursday Talk'in About Teens

This post is about gals being gals! When the girls were little we would often go to the shoe store just to try on shoes and walk in them. You know the fancy high heel ones with all the glitz.

Now we go to the store and try on clothes,,,just for fun. The other day we were at one of our favorite thrift stores and the gals wanted to try on the beautiful array of brides maids and formal gowns they had. It was a lot of giggling and just plain fun. They found one they both fit in and they both loved. It was a bit pricy so we put it back.

I just could not get the dress off my mind. It was lovely! So next day I took hubby with me and we got the dress just because.

While we were there hubby spied a treasure. This is something our youngest daughter has been looking for for a very long time. I also have been on the lookout for one for each of my gals.

Isn't it a beauty? Hubby ask the clerk if she could possibly give us a better price and she said yes! We got 25.00 off the price!

The chest is a 1945 model which sold for $49.00 brand new.  Its in good condition. Needs some veneer repair. We are told this is a simple repair. The inside is in excellent condition.

Here are some 1945 adds with Shirley Temple and this model of Lane Cedar Chest. Arn't they fun!

And this is what gals do with it!

So whats all this have to do with teens...well just go out and be silly with them. Do something that they want to do. Follow your heart and enjoy. They will not bore you or disappoint you! It will be a good time and you will indeed learn some wonderful things about your teens.

Talkin About Teens Thursday

 

 I am not sure I have ever shared about my oldest teen in my house so here goes:

Our oldest ( still at home) is an 18 year old young man who is a budding musician. He has graduated from homeschool highschool and is attending our local community college with plans to major in the music field. He is a very talented guitar player ( bass, electic and acoustic), budding piano player, and likes to sing as well. He collects vintage music equipment ( amps and such) He is a regular on our church worship band as well as playing for another church and in his own band.  He also has a full time job with a wonderful Christan employer. We are very proud of the way he manages his time with school, work, and his social life. It is so amazing to be sharing in the part of his journey. I cannot even begin to share all the wonderful character qualities he has. He cares deeply for others and is very thoughtful. He is a dependable on time kind of guy. He knows who he is in the Lord. He blesses us!

 

Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  

Link back to  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/  in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT

Thursday Takin About Teens

 

  Sensitive topics: How do you talk about them with your teen? I spent many hours in prayer before discussing a senstive topic with my 13 year old. It seems genetics and poor habits ( mine untill last year) have caught up with her around the middle. I remember this being difficult for me at a teenager. I was a twig most of my early life but for a short while became quite pudgy.  I am happy to say our talk went well. We have a plan and she still has a smile on her face. No tears. PTL!!!!!!!

 Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  

Link back to  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/  in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT

Thursday: Talkin' About Teens

 

 

"Got teens?  Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them.  They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults, and they can become the best friends you'll ever have." ~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~ Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How: Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.   Link back to  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/  in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.   This was a hard week in the parenting department. If I could wipe the slate clean and start all over I would! Oh please tell me you understand?! But this is a positive meme so I will share something sweet. My 13 year old and her friend went thrift store shopping with me on Saturday. We had a blast!  They purchased an old cup trophy for a quarter. I ask what it was for. A friend of theirs who is a top notch cheerleader missed getting a trophy this year because she was late for one game. So the gals are having all her friends sign the trophy to give to her. Sweet!  I bet that trophy will mean more to her in the years to come than any trophy she has won cheerleading.

Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers

"Got teens? You lucky dogs.  Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them.  They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults, and they can become the best friends you'll ever have." ~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How: Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.   Link back to  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/  in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.

 This is super short! The gals have both been sick this week with the cold/flu stuff. Not a great week of school. Learning how to rest and care for one self when sick is soooo hard when the schedule is so full.

DD1 Keeping her cool under pressure. Definately a mature thing!

DD 2 Thoughtful of others. Aways thinking of how to cheer others up.

Thursday Talkin About Teenagers

"Got teens? You lucky dogs. 
Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them. 
They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults,
and they can become the best friends you'll ever have."
~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

• 
  
  Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
  
  


• 
  
  Link back to  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/  in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.
  
  

  

I thought I would start this meme with many of the positive things my two teens have done this past month. ( no prompting from the parents) While this may seem small it is indeed a step in the growing up process.

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  DD1 Vacuumed my bedroom. Shampooed her bedroom carpet. Vacuumed the living room. Dusted.
  
  


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  DD2 is my organizer. Often I will find the pots and pan cupboard completely organized. Also the silverwear drawer.
  
  


• 
  
  Both gals have kept their rooms really clean and organized, fed their pets, and spent a great deal of time with their birds.
  
  


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  We are in and out alot during the week. Both gals have done well to keep up with their studies, do house work, babysitting jobs, and often have lunch ready for us.  Both also help to teach kids church and the oldest plays piano for the sunday morning service. Learning how to balance all of this is so important and I think they are both doing a great job.
  
  


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  And last but not least I am thankful that both gals love to help decorate. It has been wonderful to see them take charge this year with the fall and christmas decorations. They really enjoy doing it! ( you can see the fruits of their labor in the below post) I am reminded how I use to plan each of the 25 days before Christmas so they would have a memory. Now they are planning!