he could be an imaginary friend
Middle has this friend, P.
He's been friends with P for about nine months.
I generally pay a different kind of attention to my kid's friends when they are in their teens.
I don't get to meet their parents. I only occasionally get to meet the friends themselves.
But I listen more closely.
And I ask some questions, when I can.
So I've been hearing about this kid P for nearly a year.
Sounds like a good guy.
He's older than Middle though, a senior. Gotta watch that.
He drives too - could be dangerous, I don't know.
Sounds like he has a curfew - that's good.
And he drives a really old beat up car. I like that. Lots of kids around here are driving $50,000 cars.
I don't care for that at all and would prefer that my kids not be out in some other kid's $50,000 car. Those kids don't usually have curfews.
This kid P has a job too. Like that.
He took Middle to the concert last month, and came in to meet us.
Nice fellow.
Quiet.
Just finished an internship at a prestigious company - in the graphic arts department.
Just accepted into an Ivy League school.
Told us he is looking forward to going, but a little anxious about being away from home and choosing his goals.
He said that.
He was pleased to go to the concert - it would have been hard to afford the tickets on his babysitting wages. (babysitting, another point in his favor)
Friday night I let Middle go out with him for a while -
I didn't even ask a lot of questions.
Middle just had to wait for him to get home from his job...as a day camp counselor.
Sometimes I find it hard to believe he's real, I said to Middle. He's just so perfect...
Oh, yeah...Middle said, did I mention he's training for the clergy?
He's been friends with P for about nine months.
I generally pay a different kind of attention to my kid's friends when they are in their teens.
I don't get to meet their parents. I only occasionally get to meet the friends themselves.
But I listen more closely.
And I ask some questions, when I can.
So I've been hearing about this kid P for nearly a year.
Sounds like a good guy.
He's older than Middle though, a senior. Gotta watch that.
He drives too - could be dangerous, I don't know.
Sounds like he has a curfew - that's good.
And he drives a really old beat up car. I like that. Lots of kids around here are driving $50,000 cars.
I don't care for that at all and would prefer that my kids not be out in some other kid's $50,000 car. Those kids don't usually have curfews.
This kid P has a job too. Like that.
He took Middle to the concert last month, and came in to meet us.
Nice fellow.
Quiet.
Just finished an internship at a prestigious company - in the graphic arts department.
Just accepted into an Ivy League school.
Told us he is looking forward to going, but a little anxious about being away from home and choosing his goals.
He said that.
He was pleased to go to the concert - it would have been hard to afford the tickets on his babysitting wages. (babysitting, another point in his favor)
Friday night I let Middle go out with him for a while -
I didn't even ask a lot of questions.
Middle just had to wait for him to get home from his job...as a day camp counselor.
Sometimes I find it hard to believe he's real, I said to Middle. He's just so perfect...
Oh, yeah...Middle said, did I mention he's training for the clergy?
Comments
There are tons of great kids out there. More than not-so-great.
You make me laugh. You have good kids, obviously.
My gaydar would be pinging, but you've just described my husband at 17 - he has always been kind, extremely intelligent, nose to the prestigious employment grindstone since 15, drives beaters and parents love him. I swear, my parents love my husband more than me!
Middle, and YOU, are lucky such a friend has made an appearance. And Darn! He is leaving in a year. Will Middle be a junior this year? No, he's a sopohmore, isn't he - at 15?
That's one focused dude.
Or is he?
As we got older her parents loved me because I was a good influence on her. Since she was the youngest of 4 by many years she was more of an only child. Her parents invited me on every vacation with them so she could have a playmate along. Now I realize they invited me along to keep her in check, but thats okay I had fun. I went to Palm Springs, Mammoth, Hawaii, and many river trips. When I started to drive her mom was thrilled since that meant she no longer had to drive us around. An older responsilbe friend is a good thing.
I am also leary of my teens older friends, they can't all be perfect like I was (eg).