Our Teens Have Much to Teach Us

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Dear Young Ladies at the Pool,

Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those typical letters where an adult tries to school you on how to dress or pose for selfies. You know the ones. I’m as tired of those lectures as you probably are!

You might not remember me, but we crossed paths at the public pool last week. I say “crossed paths” loosely because I never caught your names, and you didn’t catch mine. I was up for a challenge after a deal with my older son. “If you jump off the high dive, Mom, I’ll do my epic cannonball,” he said. Easy peasy, right?

But once I climbed those stairs and peeked over the edge, I understood the hesitation. The high dive is no joke! I had a mini-panic attack, but I stood in line behind you anyway.

The last time I took a leap from a high dive was at 18—just a few years older than you—but 20 years can change everything. The board seemed higher, the plunge felt longer, and the fears of a swimsuit mishap or an awkward belly flop became very real.

One of you turned to me and said, “It always takes me a few tries before I actually jump.” You strutted to the end of the board only to walk back, repeat the process, and finally, on your third try, you leaped! A few moments later, you were back in line with your friend, excitement bubbling.

A group of younger kids, around 8 or 9, started jumping, cheering each other on, while I was still stuck in my head. You both were so supportive, encouraging each other as you waited for your turns.

After 20 minutes of standing on the concrete platform, I tried to summon the courage to dive. I told myself that I could conquer fears and set a good example for my kids. I stepped onto the board, attempted to jump, and chickened out no less than five times! Each time, you offered uplifting words, patiently waiting as I walked partway down the board and back again.

“It’s totally fine,” one of you said. “I get scared too. But once you jump, it’s fun.” “Just don’t look down,” your friend added. “Focus on the trees instead.” “It’s like flying!” one of you exclaimed, and we all laughed at the irony of the song playing overhead, “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty.

I stepped onto the board, walked halfway, took another step, and then—yes, I looked down. I immediately turned around and stepped off. The younger kids groaned, “Aww!” I shrugged, “Not today, kiddos. Maybe next time.”

Then one of you looked me dead in the eye and said, “You’ll regret it if you leave without jumping. Trust me.”

“Yeah,” I whispered back, “You’re right.”

Two minutes later, it was my turn again. I walked to the end of the board, stared at the trees, and leaped! I heard the cheers before I even hit the water.

“Good job!” you hollered from the platform. “Thank you!” I shouted back, filled with gratitude.

A few moments later, as you walked past me, I called out, “Thanks, girls!” But you were too busy giggling at something only teenage girls understand. I tried to find you again, but snack time with my kids distracted me, and you vanished.

As I walked to the snack counter, my friend nudged me and joked, “You’ll be writing about that high dive experience soon!” I chuckled, thinking about you two.

Sure, I could write about tackling fears or the importance of teaching our kids resilience and bravery. I can share my experiences and lessons, but right now, I want to highlight the impact of two amazing teenage girls.

There’s so much chatter about teens these days, especially about young girls. People complain about the way they dress, the trends they follow, and their use of social media. We, as parents, try to guide you toward confidence and self-respect, aiming to prepare you for a challenging world.

Yet, in all our efforts to teach, we forget just how much you teach us in return. You show us how to be brave, take risks, and embrace life. You remind us of our own youthful missteps and the grace of second chances. You illustrate patience, resilience, and the power of camaraderie. Most importantly, you urge us to jump.

We strive to lead by example, believing our experiences grant us wisdom. But the truth is, you’re on this journey beside us, not behind us. We’re all evolving together. So, keep diving into the deep end, keep being yourselves, and keep learning alongside us.

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Summary:

In this reflective piece, Jamie Taylor shares an experience at the pool where she learns valuable lessons about bravery and encouragement from two teenage girls. Through the lens of a high dive jump, she explores the dynamic of teaching and learning between generations, highlighting how parents can also be inspired by their children. The article emphasizes the importance of embracing fear and taking risks while growing and evolving together.