I wasn't sure if this would be a snarky post given the title (and it being DCUM), and then I'd have to chime in with the opposite. So often teens get a bad rap, but once my kids started summer camps I saw how awesome they can be. Now that my kids are teens, I see how many wonderful friends they have. Thanks, OP.

OP, thank you so much for your post. I love teachers like you! My daughter had teacher who loved HS kids and had so much influence on her career choice. God bless you!

Fantastic thread! Great post OP!

Thanks, OP. I find my teens and their friends delightful in these same ways, and love having them around. I couldn't handle huge numbers of them all day, every day, while trying to teach them, so kudos to you and all good teachers.

Only DCUM can turn this sort of thread into an argument.

Anonymous wrote:^^ looks like someone should work on growing a thicker skin

You're the one obsessing over a thread about anonymous teenagers. Instead of aiming your umbrage at them and me, maybe think about why your kids are choosing not to spend the holiday with you, since it seems like that's what's going on if trolling a positive thread is the best you can do at Thanksgiving. If you need a place to vent your vitriol, try the politics forum.

^^ looks like someone should work on growing a thicker skin

No, I teach in suburbia. Some of my kids are pretty affluent, others are average. I don't particularly want to share the specifics of things they say about their dads, not only because I value the trust they placed in me when they shared these things, but also because despite one poster's fixation on himself this thread was never about dads or men. It was about how awesome the kids themselves are. So I'd like the thread to remain in that spirit and not devolve into some small man's Thanksgiving distraction.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the angst with Dads? Mom asking...curious.

I was wondering the same thing myself. She is patting all the mothers on the back and kind of giving an F U to fathers.

I'm a Dad of two teens and I didn't see it as an FU at all -- but I would love to hear OP's take on the angst surrounding us Dads. Not necessarily a bad thing--perhaps angst-causing Dads are the perfect balance to the revered Moms (or vice versa).



http://www.fathers.com/statistics-and-research/the-consequences-of-fatherlessness/

Maybe she teaches in a very urban environment, which would explain a lot. OP, what say you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the angst with Dads? Mom asking...curious.

I was wondering the same thing myself. She is patting all the mothers on the back and kind of giving an F U to fathers.

I'm a Dad of two teens and I didn't see it as an FU at all -- but I would love to hear OP's take on the angst surrounding us Dads. Not necessarily a bad thing--perhaps angst-causing Dads are the perfect balance to the revered Moms (or vice versa).

http://www.fathers.com/statistics-and-research/the-consequences-of-fatherlessness/

Where do you teach? Who are these delightful parents of these delightful kids? Show hands and share share your delightful experiences and tips of raising such delightful offsprings.

My 14 yr old is a hilarious delight. All I want is for her teachers to see her awesomeness. I just spent from 10am to 9:30pm with DD and had a great day. Thank you for appreciating our kids.

Anonymous wrote:Why the angst with Dads? Mom asking...curious.

I was wondering the same thing myself. She is patting all the mothers on the back and kind of giving an F U to fathers.

Why the angst with Dads? Mom asking...curious.

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope you're talking about my DS (a freshman). He's got an IEP and has been struggling with his grades. I've had a couple meetings at school and, when he's chosen to attend, he's been fairly non-participatory. His teachers have been very positive but it's hard for me to see......I get crazy, surly, teenager at home. Thank you so much for posting. I hope my DS has a teacher like you!

We get surly, non-participatory too. I just keep cracking at the exterior until I make a breakthrough. If might just be a tiny smile. When I see it I know I've got a toehold.

These kids are NOT bad. But they will push and pull and try their best to make you want to give up on them- because they want to be shown that despite all that, you WON'T give up on them. When we take the time to prove that to them, that's when they come alive in our class. He will get there!!