I KNOW. 

I would come on the trip anyway... but I told the kid we'd use that money for him to travel somewhere with possible jobs or bands or something.

So... here's the new bribe.  Find the teen a job near you and I'll definitely come visit!! 

Noenz doesn't like this twist in the thread

Jimmy Soul! There was also a Coasters version, I think.

Jimmy Soul! There was also a Coasters version, I think.

I was thinking the same thing. *pout*

I guess this means we won't be seeing you next month?

a song lyric to a tune most of us know, and understand that it was tongue in cheek.

Talked to the teen.  It went really well.    so far?

He was kinda crushed and really angry, then a teary eyed "now whatthehellamIgonnado"

He's applying for Apple Genius jobs now...  New Plan: Genius by day, club DJ by night. 

I guess this means we won't be seeing you next month?

I'm glad that it went smoothly, although, I'm prone to believe there will be a later backlash before the real calm.

Talked to the teen.  It went really well.    so far?

He was kinda crushed and really angry, then a teary eyed "now whatthehellamIgonnado"

He's applying for Apple Genius jobs now...  New Plan: Genius by day, club DJ by night. 

But, this talk about pretty women not being good partners is bullshit. 

It's more that he had a pretty solid plan in place (his plan), and I just pulled the rug out.  He's gotta find a whole new, and VERY different plan.

 rosedraws wrote:

Not necessarily so different. The important part is what he wants, that doesn't have to change. There are many paths to that.

It's more that he had a pretty solid plan in place (his plan), and I just pulled the rug out.  He's gotta find a whole new, and VERY different plan.

Ummm....he'll grow up a little and realize the world doesn't owe him anything?

Talked to the teen.  It went really well.    so far?

He was kinda crushed and really angry, then a teary eyed "now whatthehellamIgonnado"

He's applying for Apple Genius jobs now...  New Plan: Genius by day, club DJ by night. 

This is the real lesson, but it's one that doesn't get learned for decades. We and our kids were raised in opulent times. What you owned defined you. If owned less, you might feel ashamed.

My fault is letting this perpetuate to my kids. In wanting to make them comfortable (which does not teach compassion) there's the implication that ownership is what brings happiness. Lack of ownership means that you're not happy.

But, like I've said elsewhere, I think that I've been happiest sitting on the beach, wondering what's for dinner. Or participating in a great conversation.
The ability to buy things has a brief, empty happiness that drives us - as a society - to think that as we buy bigger or better then the happiness will likewise be bigger or better.

I'm sad that 1) I taught that, accidentally, to my kids and 2) that I still succumb to it myself.

However, education brings opportunity (in general). I have a hard time thinking that I could let my kids not get more education in the interest of not going down the road of Buying Things. 

am I supposed to have a life plan?

well, darn