My fifteen year old daughter loves to write; she always has. For years I have been finding piles of notebook paper in drawers and under her bed – all stories in the making. One night last week Gwen finished her homework by 9:00 pm, and she proclaimed she was just going to write.
“Write something for my blog!” I said.
“What should I write about?” she asked.
I told her to write whatever she wanted, whatever she knew. Write about being a teenager. Less than an hour later I received an email with the following post. I didn’t edit it at all. Funny thing is, one choice for today’s Finish the Sentence Friday prompt is “Right now I am thankful for…” Gwen’s piece fits in perfectly, and that is a total coincidence. I guess Thankful is in the air…
Yes, I am a teenager. Yes, I am stuck in that horrendous, dreaded, awkward phase called puberty. And yes, I have incredibly dark circles under my eyes and those fabulous pilly sweatpants that are, oh so, attractive. But I guess that’s a part of going through high school and striving to do your best.
Being a teenager is a hassle – and those aren’t just my uninvited hormones talking. I am up at the crack of dawn (really before the crack of dawn) to get ready for school. I wake up, turn off my alarm, brush my teeth and wash my face. I throw on the first clothes I see, which happen to never be the clothes my mom bought me, rather my old sweatpants and a sweatshirt or a North Face. I barely even touch my face – maybe some concealer if I actually care. What does it matter to me? I have no one to impress. It’s also 6:30 in the morning and the only thing that I am thinking about is the test in Chemistry that I forgot to study for. I shove some breakfast down and pack up my backpack, grabbing a water bottle as I leave.
When I get to school, I am met by the lovely faces of my teachers reminding me of the essay I have due tomorrow or the Pre-Calculus test that is in two days on topics that we never learned. I finally finish the school day only to realize that I have 10 pounds (literally, not figuratively) of homework to do. So, I stay up and write essays and study and do other homework until 10:30pm and am asleep by 11 – on good days. There have been days where I have been bogged down with homework until 1:30am! I’m 15 years old and getting less than 5 of sleep? That just doesn’t sound right.
Though it may not seem like it, I am a very appreciative person – I realize that I’m really lucky to be where I am and have what I have. I know that some people would give an arm and a leg for an education like I’m receiving. I know this. I try so hard to realize how valuable my education is, but with the stress of high school, the ensuing college search, balancing with attempting to have somewhat of a social life, it’s hard to appreciate school and the information I’m learning.
Thank you Gwen, for letting me share your words. I’m thankful for you, a million times over.
“I have no one to impress.”
That is a very powerful statement and one I hope Gwen continues to live.
Me too, Barbara!
dana, what an intelligent, introspective daughter you have raised. absolutely beautiful writing.
Thank you, Catherine. I’m hoping she’ll write for me again soon!
I love how she turned this, I was wondering where she was going. I love her honesty and how fortunate for you that she feels safe enough to share it with you. And your readers. What a smart girl.
I’m not sure she knew exactly where she was going when she started, but I also love how she ended. Thanks for the kind words, Stephanie!
You must be a very proud mom! How nice for you to get a glimpse into what she’s thinking about life and learning and (yes!) appreciative for what she has. Job well done, mom! She’s sounds like an amazing girl.
She is pretty awesome 🙂
The pressure on high schoolers is just incredible. For many, college is almost a relief! Gwen is a fabulous writer – just like her mom! I especially love that Gwen ended her piece by reminding all of us to be grateful for the opportunities we have, acknowledging that millions do not.
You know, Mo, I’ve thought that too – that college will be easier than high school. It’s just crazy the pressure that teenager are under. Thank you for your kind words, my friend.
First of all, I have to say how amazing her grammar and punctuation is at 15 years old! That is beyond impressive! On top of that the message she sends is really heart warming! Thank you so much for sharing that I think more teens need to think like her!
It was my pleasure to share, Shae – thank you!
Your daughter writes with so much maturity. I haven’t seen this in a teenager in a long time and its so refreshing to see kids out there with a perspective like this, when so many adults don’t even have this. Clearly she has a great mother and I do hope the homework eases up. I agree that much homework for a kid up til 1:30am is way too much! But what a great post and its awesome that a 15 year old can inspire me. 🙂
That is awesome, Heather – thank you!
Gwen has always been writing great stories and plays and this blog was wonderful! She’s taking after her mother. I will try and always remember Gwen’s very important and insightful advise. Xo
Remember those plays? I can’t say I miss those. Well, maybe a little. When did they grow up? We are still 29.
Dana, she is SO talented! The detail in her work is just beautiful, and she was successfully able to combine it all with a great lesson at the end. I LOVED THIS! Would love to read more from her!
Thanks, Shay – I’m hoping she will write for me again, if she ever finishes her homework before 10 pm. 🙂
She is already ten steps ahead of where I was at that age… 🙂
I can barely remember that age, Natalie!
Seriously? This amazing girl of yours is only 15??? She is so wise! So articulate! Love that she shared this with us all! Thank you!!
You are very welcome, Leah. Thanks for the kind words – Gwen is reading all the comments and I’m sure she appreciates them.
Gwen, this is awesome – I definitely think you should angle for a regular guest spot here. You have great talent at writing to engage, and I LOVE how self-aware you are. Keep that up.
Glad that you’re so mindful of practicing gratitude – I hope you hang onto that ability for many many years, if not forever.
Dana, you’re raising a wonderful young lady – keep up the good work 🙂
I’ll try, Lizzi – thank you! And I would love for Gwen to do a monthly guest spot if she can find the time.
Wow… so impressed with our Gwen. Perfect insight for those of us that cant remember what it was like waking up every morning for high school. Wise words for all of us no matter the age. I am thankful you shared this with all of us.
It was my pleasure, Dana. Thanks you, as always, for reading.
Well said! And I could hear your girl saying these words as I read them… Thank you!
Get ready for next year, Erica – there is an excellent chance your girl will go to bed later than you every night!
Excellent post Gwen! Today I will be appreciative of not being a teenager! I will also try to cut my own teenager some slack in nagging her about schoolwork.
It’s so hard to not nag, though, isn’t it? I just hate how late she stays up every night.
Wow – incredible post! If you hadn’t told us I would never have guessed that a 15 year old wrote this! I’m so happy that she was willing to let you share it with us.
I do not miss those days even a little – I think that the best part about going through them is it helps me understand my teens!!!
And – less than 5 hours is crazy – that is a lot of homework!
It is ridiculous, Kim. Sometimes I think the teachers don’t realize how long it takes to get their assignments done.
Does this ever change? I have a 12 year old boy with the same issues, he doesn’t want to do anything at anytime, and all he does is get reminded about this or that.. its a little different for girls maybe?
Maybe – I guess it just depends on the kid. Three years makes a big difference in terms of maturity and self-motivating, though.
Lovely post Gwen! You pulled me all the way back 25ish years. I was worried about the wrong stuff. I spend a chunk of my evening ironing the heck out of my jeans and I got up before the crack of dawn to curl my hair. Seemingly I spent an hour ironing and and hour or more on my hair. I’m not like that anymore (not with the ironing anyway). The best thing about being a grown up is not studying for a test tomorrow. Spoiler alert: There’s always something else though.
So true, Kenya! We just trade tests and papers for other grown up stuff. Still spend lots of time on your hair, do you? 🙂
Yeah. It’s an affliction with benefits. 😉
Wow, you’ve got quite a writer on your hands, Dana! She really painted a picture with her words and took me back to my high school days. The lack of sleep? Unfortunately that never changes!
I know. Although I do remember sleeping until noon on the weekends in college. It was short lived though. Tomorrow we can sleep in, and I cannot tell you how excited Gwen and I both are!
I would never guess you were existing on weensy hours of sleep Gwen. Lovely job – brilliant writing. It transported me right back to those teenage days. I well remember the ten pounds of homework that seemed never ending. Here’s to appreciating the little things in life, indeed. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that the teachers give you a bit of a breather on the homework front.
Thanks, Kelly – she shouldn’t have a ton of homework, and she’ll have five days off to do it. Yay!
Great job Gwen! I especially like the closing paragraph re: finding something each day to appreciate. 🙂
Me too, Chris. I find plenty to edit when I read her school papers, but I thought this was perfect as is.
This is an awesome post! I can tell from reading this that she is an amazing young woman…wonderful advice! She’s wise beyond her years. 🙂
Sometimes she is, Michelle. But as you know, that wisdom can be fleeting in a teenager…
I am not going to be original. I second/third/fourth everyone else in expressing my absolute admiration for your daughter’s choice of words but even more so her wisdom and perspective. Perhaps we should invite ourselves more into the heads of teenagers like Gwen, instead of repeating cliches we heard from our parents, and we will be pleasantly surprised. I am going to follow your sage daughter’s advice and try to appreciate something different every day.
Amazing job, Gwen!
She was quite wise today…and I now have written proof to remind her of what she said the next time I think she’s being ungrateful. She may not want to write for me anymore after that!
I remember getting five hours a sleep a night or under. And the pressures of it all. Gwen brought me right back there, to 15 years ago of my life. She’s definitely a writer like you!
I know she would like to be, Tamara. So much writing is required for school; she loves to just write for the pleasure of it. I get to do that all the time!
Wow. You’re awesome, Dana, for encouraging your daughter to write for your blog! What a great idea. And Gwen, you are SO talented, and sweet, and grateful, and precious. I know you made your momma proud today! Your writing took me back to my teen memories…well done. Good luck on your test. OY.
Thanks so much, Beth – I’m so glad she allowed me to post this. She is pretty great, even when she’s rolling her eyes at me…
I’d still switch places with Gwen in a heartbeat! But a good reminder 🙂 Maybe mom should just buy some new non-pilly sweats and you’ll both be happy!
You’d switch places? I wouldn’t. There is a lot more pressure on kids today than I remember having. And those hormones suck. Oh, and I buy her plenty of nice clothes that she doesn’t wear!
She’s so young to have such perspective like that! And brave! I love hearing about kids who have piles of stories under their beds….
And she never let me read those stories – she’s very possessive of her creations. So it was a treat to actually be able to read something she wrote!
Wow!! What a wise and mature girl you have there! tHat is certainly advice we could all use. Good job Gwen and Good job mom (because you, and her dad, made her the beautiful way she is!).
I can’t take all the credit, but I will take some, Lisa. 🙂 Thank you!
Dana and Gwen, I think that DanasDad and Karen H., along with all the other people who commented, have said it all. What joy and awe you bring into my life! Great job, Gwen. Luv ya’. Mom/Grammie
Luv you too!
She sounds like a very level headed and conscientious girl! I hope she does take some time to have fun with her friends and really enjoys those long breaks you get while in HS and college, because the grind of “get up, work hard, go to bed too late” doesn’t get any better as you get older!
Sshh – don’t tell her that, Sarah! Next week is only two half days of school, and she will be able to catch up on that sleep.
Awesome! What a special young lady (but I already knew that,) and to have these insights at 15 is extraordinary. I hope we haven’t heard the last from Gwen. I know the world hasn’t.
I read your comment to Gwen before she left for school. She said, “Aww, I love Karen.” Me too.
Wow…she is only 15 and can write like that?! Fantastic!! You’ve got to be so proud you can hardly stand it! (and I agree, 5 hours of sleep DOESN’T seem right!) My favorite part (which is hard to type because I love this post!) is “being a teenager is a hassle” Oh, I remember that feeling *so* well! –Lisa
Me too, Lisa. Being the mom of a teen can be a hassle sometimes too. And tiring. Fortunately my husband is the one who stays up late with her!
Gwen, once again, you have made your Grandpa very proud. I know this “sounds” a little sappy, but it’s true.
Dana, isn’t it nice to see how well your daughter expresses her thoughts and feelings in clear and complete sentences?
One question to you both: Who loves you?
You do! We both love you too. xoxo And yes, it is nice to read her writing – a welcome change from reading all her school essays!
I guess not everything about those “glory days” I remember was fun. Your daughter sounds a lot like me in high school! I enjoyed reading this!
I suppose we tend to remember mostly the good parts of our youth, but that’s harder to do when you’re in the thick of it. Glad you enjoyed my daughter’s writing debut, Alexa!
Such a mature 15 year old you have! Acknowledging how hard things are for her and not disguising how she feels while at the same time understanding that what she has and where she is isn’t available to everyone? You have a gem! I see you in her and I’ve only read this one post of her writing! Loved this!
You’re so sweet, Brittnei – thank you! She may not take the fact that you see me in her as a compliment, but I do. I bet she does too, but she may not admit it. 🙂
Being preached at by a 15 year old is both hilarious and refreshing because it’s normally I that am banging my head against the wall trying to convince juvenile delinquents to listen to what I have to say.
Very sharp young lady you have there and I TOTALLY understand where she’s coming from. Being a teen is the most difficult stage in life as far as I’m concerned. Great stuff here!
Thanks, Don. I agree with you – I would not trade places with her for a million bucks. Did it once, and that was plenty.
“Though it may not seem like it, I am a very appreciative person.” i LOVE this. I hope my soon to be teenager feels the same way. Happy Thanksgiving to you both.
Thank you, Jamie – happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too!
WOW. I’m so so so impressed. You weren’t kidding when you said “bring it” to facebook. Obviously, your daughter is extremely talented and insightful. I wish I knew as much as she did at her age. Beautiful and well. I’ll say it again. Wow. Her dedication to homework and knowing how many people can’t even read? She’s in a great program at school. And has great parents. And I adore her already. This girl. This girl is going to change the world, yes? Yes.
I hope so, Kristi. I hope she achieves everything she wants to achieve and more. I adore this girl too – huge.
This post is absolutely perfect and can totally see why you left it as is. Seriously love how well this fit in with today’s sentence, too. Plus, I was truly brought back about 18 years ago give or take and your daughter described being a teenager (at least what I do remember) quite perfectly and accurately. Thank you so much for sharing and linking this up. And seriously loved it!! 🙂
Thanks, Janine! In a few years your daughters could be guest posting for you too!