Practical Meets Teen

Sarah is a very practical girl. Many times I wonder how she got to be so grounded at 16-years old. I think it's a good thing for the most part, of course. Sometimes I think it just might be a hindrance to building relationships. A good example happened last night.

Someone knocked on the door at nearly 10pm. We fought to get Anna outside (the dog who likes to eat people) and I opened the door. Two of Sarah's friends were there: Mark and Charlotte. I have seen Mark several times when he's come home from school with Sarah for lunch. I think he's an amazingly goofy, weird kid. But as they were on the steps looking into the house, Sarah stood in the living room and stared at them. I finally invited them in. Sarah's first words were, "It's kind of late." I finally broke the weird moment by inviting them to come have a cookie. Mark jumped at the idea and was in the kitchen in a flash.

After much strange discussion, the kids moved into the living room to chat. After a moment I overheard this conversation:

Sarah: You are inviting me to drive around?

Mark: Yeah!

Sarah: And do what? Just drive around?

Mark: Yeah!

Sarah: What's our destination?

Mark: Maybe nowhere. Maybe my house. We don't know. That's the fun of it!

Sarah: Ok ...

She did come ask me if she could go out with Mark and Charlotte and I told her to take her cell phone and be home by 11:30. She got her phone and left with a tentative attitude.

When she got home I asked if she had fun and she said she did, actually. She added, "I even felt like a real teenager."

Thank goodness. It's about time.

Chelle