I was a pretty decent kid. I excelled in my studies, had good friends, and genuinely enjoyed spending time with my parents—even during my teenage years. Now, as an adult, I like to think I’ve turned out well. I’m a responsible mother, wife, daughter, and sister, and I strive to be a positive member of society.
But, here’s the catch: During my formative years, particularly in those awkward teenage days, I made some really questionable decisions. As my children approach their own teenage phase, I sincerely hope they don’t follow in my footsteps.
The thing is, I managed to avoid serious consequences for most of my reckless actions, likely due to luck. Growing up in the late 20th century meant I was shielded from the pervasive digital footprint that today’s youth contend with. No smartphones, social media, or instant documentation of every mistake. With that in mind, here are a few of the foolish things I did that I hope my kids steer clear of:
1. Driving Without a License
In my early teens, my friends and I thought it’d be a thrill to take a car for a joyride. Never mind the fact we lacked licenses and had zero experience. One Saturday evening, while our parents were away, we took my neighbor’s dad’s massive Oldsmobile for a spin. Aside from some erratic stops and fresh tire marks on my neighbor’s lawn, we somehow returned the car safely. It’s terrifying to think what could have happened if we’d been caught or worse, if we’d caused an accident.
2. Drinking Cooking Wine in the Basement
The first time I ever tried alcohol (aside from a sip of my dad’s beer) was at a friend’s party in their basement. With parents out, we foolishly decided to drink cooking wine we found. We ended up sick and had to sleep it off. What if we had consumed too much? It could have turned into a nightmare. But at the time, we didn’t think about the risks.
3. Breaking Major School Rules
My high school enforced strict regulations, particularly since many students boarded there. As a day student, I had more freedom and often drove boarding students into town—a clear violation of school policy. We’d sneak out to grab food or shop, always making sure to return before curfew. Sure, we never got caught, but we risked expulsion and jeopardizing our futures. It was a risky game.
4. Embarking on a Dubious Spring Break Trip
Remember those enticing spring break deals for seniors? I fell for one such offer to the Bahamas that seemed too good to be true. While we had a blast and returned unscathed, we later learned the airline had serious safety issues and went out of business shortly after. I shudder at the thought of the precarious situations we could have encountered.
Looking back, I can hardly believe the reckless choices I made as a teen. At the time, I thought I was invincible. Many kids, even the well-behaved ones, often don’t consider the potential consequences of their actions. As a parent, I’m acutely aware of these risks, especially regarding my own children.
I hope to use my past mistakes as lessons to guide my kids and help them avoid similar pitfalls. While I know I can’t shield them from every bad decision, I can only wish they’ll be a bit wiser than I was.
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Summary: Reflecting on my teenage years, I realize I made several foolish choices that I hope my children can avoid. From driving without a license to drinking cooking wine, each decision came with significant risks. As a parent, I aim to use my experiences to steer my kids away from such reckless behavior, knowing they will inevitably make mistakes but hoping they will learn from them.