Treat Teenagers withRespect

My husband Bill andI have received comments from other parents expressing their sympathies eversince Douglas's 14th birthday,since our son isa teenager now. We've

heard a lot,such as"Well,when kids become teenagers,they are awful,just do your best to gothrough this tough period."or"I know he's a good child,but justwait,now that he's

a teenager."

I know thatteenagers at times can be difficult to deal with,but I'm in my mid-thirties andI can also be tough.We are concerned about the future of our kids and wanttoday's

children to knowthat we do love and care them and that there are opportunities waiting forthem. Nevertheless,when they just start their journey toward adulthood, westand

there expecting themto make mistakes."Just like we knew they would."We tell them torespect themselves and to say no to drugs,yet we are not setting a positiveexample by

showing our respectfor them,and fail to treat them with consideration and kindness.

At times I have feltguilty of this behavior but I now realize that the more I see each person as aperson,the more I am pleasantly surprised in some way or another. For

instance,a few daysago Bill and I were having dinner at our favorite restaurant to celebrate mybirthday and three teenage boys entered and sat down right beside us.The first

thought came into mymind,I must admit,was,"Gosh, there goes our peaceful and quietdinner."But,the fact proved I was very wrong!The three teenagers werequiet,well

behaved and even lefta nice tip for the waiters.Once I looked beyond their colored hair and theloose jeans that were practically falling off,I saw what fine people theseyoung

men were.

Many parents areupset about the fact that teenagers adore sports stars and pop singers,yet theythemselves,perhaps unknowingly,treat their kids with disrespect.As far as I

think we reallyshouldn't complain unless we give them something better to go after.What was theauthor's first thought when three young men came into the restaurant?

A.Her quiet dinnerwith her husband would be destroyed.

B.The teenagerswould behave in a very rude way.

C.They were going tohave a quarrel with the three teenagers.

D.She and herhusband were going to have a pleasant dinner.