Anonymous
06/17/2025 14:17
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
That’s a fair approach, and I think prompting independence makes sense in some situations. I just see value in helping when they ask, especially if it’s about something practical like food planning. To me, being supportive and collaborative doesn’t take away from building their problem-solving skills, it models it.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:NP. So if you're 15 yo came to you and asked you to help them with ideas of what to bring to work for lunch you'd say - figure it out yourself?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If he’s old enough to lifeguard, he’s old enough to figure this out himself. I would let him.
This times 1000.
I'd say, "You're a smart kid who's creative and good at problem solving. What are you thinking of bringing so far?" I'd prompt them to figure it out themselves.
Anonymous
06/17/2025 08:07
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
Anonymous wrote:Haha. Thankfully since he’s a junior lifeguard he won’t be responsible for lives. He’ll mainly check the chemicals in the pool, sign people in, clean the bathrooms.
Just got back from traders joes together so we’re set for the week! He has enough for sandwiches, yogurt, snacks, veggies. Thank you to those that have actual advice. And congrats to all the parents whose kids are already so independent!
Good for you, OP. Those PPs posting about "independence" and "problem solving" probably don't even have teens. They have 2nd graders and think they know how all about how teens are supposed to be raised. Or, sadly, they have a pot-smoking college dropout or two living in their basement, and they are creating an online persona to pretend how they would do things differently.
Anonymous
06/17/2025 03:17
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If he’s old enough to lifeguard, he’s old enough to figure this out himself. I would let him.
This times 1000.
Some of you weren’t loved enough as children and it shows.
Yeah, are you seriously treating your kids this way? I am all for independence but helping him with ideas is great. Plus, kids like junk food. My kid will pack himself a healthy meal if it’s stocked etc. Itherwise, he will just throw a bunch of random bags in and call it a day. Not what I would want, especially if he’s then training at 6am.
Anonymous
06/16/2025 23:00
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If he’s old enough to lifeguard, he’s old enough to figure this out himself. I would let him.
This times 1000.
Some of you weren’t loved enough as children and it shows.
Anonymous
06/16/2025 22:58
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
lol. I’m 45 and I do this with my mom whenever she visits me. She’s essentially helping me cook and plan meals for my family. So thankful I have a supportive mom even in her 70s
Anonymous
06/16/2025 22:09
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.
Really? My son is home for a few days from college and we enjoy cooking together. We look at recipes and go grocery shopping and meal plan. I see nothing wrong with a mom of a fifteen year old shopping and preparing some meals for her child who is working his first job. I swear some of you are just mean. Why even have kids if you don't want to support them.
This is what you do when the kid is 12 not 20.
Anonymous
06/16/2025 22:05
Subject: Packing dinner for a summer lifeguard job
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.
Really? My son is home for a few days from college and we enjoy cooking together. We look at recipes and go grocery shopping and meal plan. I see nothing wrong with a mom of a fifteen year old shopping and preparing some meals for her child who is working his first job. I swear some of you are just mean. Why even have kids if you don't want to support them.
These are trolls. Please ignore their mean-spirited comments.