I have 4 adult kids and none have ever drank before it was legal. TPM you can sign all the papers you like but if the coach is aware of the illegal consumption of alcohol or should have been aware , the paper means nothing !
Being perfect is not a prerequisite to obeying the law !
Hello,
First off I apoligize if I made it seem like drinking is not a big deal or should not have a serious conversation regarding it. I was simply trying to make a point that it was very very common that alcohol was around durig weekend offical visits. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THAT MY COACH NEVER SAID IT WAS OK FOR ALCOHOL TO BE AROUND. HE SIMPLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, or at least he didn't want to know.
The thing is I played with so many guys, including summer leagues, that when I made this comment I didn't think it was a big deal. We ALL had the same story of our visits because well thats what happens on 90% of weekend OV's. As I said in my previous post however, there were many kids who didn't want to drink and so they didn't, it was no big deal.
One reason I did write the book though is I felt like people have/had this idea of college baseball in UtopiaLand and I found that to not always be the case. I know for a fact it was not just my school for example when players came to games hung over (Not that it was very smart to do or occured very often) or that players had to deal with the politics of a coach leaving the program.
I think if people read the book, they can at the very least begin to understand what I consider a very real account of a normal life for a student-athlete. With so much reaction from this book already I can't help but think that some sections of it where I talk about the "dark side" of college baseball is real, yet has become frowned upon for bringing up.
More information for the book is available at www.GoingwiththePitch.com
Again, I do apoligize if I made it seem like this issue of alcohol is not a serious one. I understand it is. I also understand however, the prevlance of it in college baseball.
Thank you for your time
First off I apoligize if I made it seem like drinking is not a big deal or should not have a serious conversation regarding it. I was simply trying to make a point that it was very very common that alcohol was around durig weekend offical visits. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THAT MY COACH NEVER SAID IT WAS OK FOR ALCOHOL TO BE AROUND. HE SIMPLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, or at least he didn't want to know.
The thing is I played with so many guys, including summer leagues, that when I made this comment I didn't think it was a big deal. We ALL had the same story of our visits because well thats what happens on 90% of weekend OV's. As I said in my previous post however, there were many kids who didn't want to drink and so they didn't, it was no big deal.
One reason I did write the book though is I felt like people have/had this idea of college baseball in UtopiaLand and I found that to not always be the case. I know for a fact it was not just my school for example when players came to games hung over (Not that it was very smart to do or occured very often) or that players had to deal with the politics of a coach leaving the program.
I think if people read the book, they can at the very least begin to understand what I consider a very real account of a normal life for a student-athlete. With so much reaction from this book already I can't help but think that some sections of it where I talk about the "dark side" of college baseball is real, yet has become frowned upon for bringing up.
More information for the book is available at www.GoingwiththePitch.com
Again, I do apoligize if I made it seem like this issue of alcohol is not a serious one. I understand it is. I also understand however, the prevlance of it in college baseball.
Thank you for your time
I finished your book. Thanks for sharing your story.
Goingwiththepitch,
No need to apologize, I think that most of us understood where you are coming from.
There is a dark side to college life, as well as baseball or any sports. Most people don't want to bring it up, it's like why should I worry my son would never do that.
There are a few people here who just need to come in and add really nothing that means much to most topics. If your son never did it or considered it, why bother with response.
And I am sure that you will admit that most parents have NO CLUE what goes on when their sons/daughters are miles and miles from home.
No need to apologize, I think that most of us understood where you are coming from.
There is a dark side to college life, as well as baseball or any sports. Most people don't want to bring it up, it's like why should I worry my son would never do that.
There are a few people here who just need to come in and add really nothing that means much to most topics. If your son never did it or considered it, why bother with response.
And I am sure that you will admit that most parents have NO CLUE what goes on when their sons/daughters are miles and miles from home.
I know that my son would not drink underage and his wife didn't either !
I am very realistic and have lived the college life at undergrad and post grad. Post grad in London UK.
I don't see drinking as a bad thing at all. Breaking the law is especially when a coach is paying money to have you there. Why would anyone jeopardize his chance to play college ball by drinking ? To me that is idiotic. All 4 of my kids drink now and they are all legal age. They don't drink and drive. They know how fast your life and someone elses can change in a blink of an eye !
In my son's job he knows socializing is important. That includes moderate drinking. When we had our kids my wife and I stopped drinking. We spent much of our lives dancing at bars. Me I lived in Pubs while at Law school. Pub lunches and great times. Alcohol is not a deamon to most but I know several that it was.
My son's school as most have a zero tolerance to underage drinking. He obeyed those rules and the law !
I am very realistic and have lived the college life at undergrad and post grad. Post grad in London UK.
I don't see drinking as a bad thing at all. Breaking the law is especially when a coach is paying money to have you there. Why would anyone jeopardize his chance to play college ball by drinking ? To me that is idiotic. All 4 of my kids drink now and they are all legal age. They don't drink and drive. They know how fast your life and someone elses can change in a blink of an eye !
In my son's job he knows socializing is important. That includes moderate drinking. When we had our kids my wife and I stopped drinking. We spent much of our lives dancing at bars. Me I lived in Pubs while at Law school. Pub lunches and great times. Alcohol is not a deamon to most but I know several that it was.
My son's school as most have a zero tolerance to underage drinking. He obeyed those rules and the law !
TPM
So true, so true. Their is a dark side to college and I do agree most parents do not have a clue. Not a clue.
Our daughter came home one day to me and confessed all the stuff she had done in college and do apologize. I was floored. I had no idea.
I appreciated her honesty and loved on her like any mom would do.
So true, so true. Their is a dark side to college and I do agree most parents do not have a clue. Not a clue.
Our daughter came home one day to me and confessed all the stuff she had done in college and do apologize. I was floored. I had no idea.
I appreciated her honesty and loved on her like any mom would do.
Dark Side ?
I was rushed by every frat in my college ! I saw things that would make your Dark Side look like sunshine ! Your daughter would be wise not to do or confess what I saw !
If you are naive maybe it is because you havn.t seen what I have !
I was rushed by every frat in my college ! I saw things that would make your Dark Side look like sunshine ! Your daughter would be wise not to do or confess what I saw !
If you are naive maybe it is because you havn.t seen what I have !
BHD- What does your wife's dancing background and your son's work-related social networking have anything to do with alcohol consumption on official visits? Who asked you to chime in and compare baseball_fever's daughter's college experience to your own, patronizing her post? Please keep the discussion about the topic at hand, not gloating about your personal life accomplishments like you have done so many times in the past on these boards.
Well, somebody's kids are doing these things. I'm glad none is ours (hsbbweb).
Actually JH if you look at my original comment it is my opinion that underage drinkers are idiots .
TPM as usual attacks me as being naive with her snide comments so that is why I explained my experience .
Yes I drank when it was legal so I would say I am from naive ! Not that you care !
I find it ludicrous that anyone would suggest that someone else is naive !
TPM as usual attacks me as being naive with her snide comments so that is why I explained my experience .
Yes I drank when it was legal so I would say I am from naive ! Not that you care !
I find it ludicrous that anyone would suggest that someone else is naive !
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Actually JH if you look at my original comment it is my opinion that underage drinkers are idiots .
TPM as usual attacks me as being naive with her snide comments so that is why I explained my experience .
Yes I drank when it was legal so I would say I am far from naive ! Not that you care !
I find it ludicrous that anyone would suggest that someone else is naive !
BHD- The fact that your kids didn't drink when they were underaged has nothing to do with the topic at hand, the fact that drinking does occur...very often...on official visits. The fact that you come onto the boards and preach that your kids didn't drink and therefore every single other kid that does is an idiot and every single other parent is naive is downright rude, obnoxious and wrong. Your life experience isn't a rule of thumb for the general public, it is merely the experience of a few people. Do you honestly expect people to actually respect a person like you? "This is how my family does it and everyone else is stupid and not as good as us." Maybe that's not what you were trying to say, but that's definitely how it sounded.
I turned 21 last month. I first tried alcohol when I was 15. I've been drunk quite often in my life, probably way too much considering the circumstances of the situation. Do I think that it was right of me to consume alcohol despite the fact that I was not of age? No, it was immature. But I don't regret it. My parents are well aware of everything I've done. They know I drank in high school, they know I drink now. They know that I tried smoking pot for the first time when I was 17, and they know that I don't smoke anything at all now because I learned that it hinders my athletic abilities . They know the first time I had s-e-x, and the fact that I had a fake ID. Just because these things have occurred does not make me a bad person, or them bad parents.
Quit calling others naive. The fact that you can't accept other people's voices and opinions is, by definition, naive.
I turned 21 last month. I first tried alcohol when I was 15. I've been drunk quite often in my life, probably way too much considering the circumstances of the situation. Do I think that it was right of me to consume alcohol despite the fact that I was not of age? No, it was immature. But I don't regret it. My parents are well aware of everything I've done. They know I drank in high school, they know I drink now. They know that I tried smoking pot for the first time when I was 17, and they know that I don't smoke anything at all now because I learned that it hinders my athletic abilities . They know the first time I had s-e-x, and the fact that I had a fake ID. Just because these things have occurred does not make me a bad person, or them bad parents.
Quit calling others naive. The fact that you can't accept other people's voices and opinions is, by definition, naive.
BobbleheadDoll, You keep mentioning 'underaged'. Underage in Canada is what- 17? Most parents on this board cannot imagine having a brandy with their 18 year-old hs seniors, after dinner. It's different, here. Kids leave home at 18 and are 'underage' for most of their college experience, whatever that may be.
First I am naive and now I'm a drunk who devastates lives? What's wrong with pumping gas for a living?
Get your facts straight before publicly attacking people.
Get your facts straight before publicly attacking people.
quote:Underage in Canada is what- 17?
Legal is 19 here ! My son was legal here but not in the USA ! Zero tolerance for alcohol in drivers under 21. At one time the NY State was 18 and we were at 21. I live 10 minutes from the border so it was common for teens here to go over the river to drink even under age !
We would never serve alcohol to our kids before they were legal and in fact it is against the law to do it even at home.
quote:I find it ludicrous that anyone would suggest that someone else is naive !
JH maybe you could show my quote that called you naive !That would be in direct contradiction of my quote above !
Whatever Bobblehead, I'm done. It serves no purpose in my life arguing with you. You obviously don't have the intellectual capacity, or the respectfulness, to warrant having a lengthy conversation with. I won't stoop down to the level, nor give any time of my day, to someone who directly calls me a "drunk". You are nothing more than an obnoxious moron.
You accuse me of calling you naive but know it is not true.
You accuse me of telling my personal experience and then you proceed to tell me yours.
So tell me how you really feel !
You accuse me of telling my personal experience and then you proceed to tell me yours.
So tell me how you really feel !
Def of an idiot !
"An idiot is a mentally deficient person, or someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way."
"An idiot is a mentally deficient person, or someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way."
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Yes kids like you are idiots in my opinion but then I have have seen the young doctor who was crippled for life by an uninsured drunk teenager who pumped gas for a living !
Yes I worked in my fathers law firm and saw the devastation caused by drunks like you.
I don't know what you're drinking today BHD, but this comment to JH who gives so much here to the HSBBW, IMO warrants a suspension.
Oh no ! Suspension !
JH,
While I am gradually moving into the sunset on the HSBBW, I want to once again acknowledge you for inspiring me.
While this thread was unfolding, I was sitting in a school auditorium filled with 14 and 15 year olds, some teachers and administrators, and one presenter, who happened to be my daughter.
During the session, the items which unfolded as part of the discussion and daily life for those 14/15 year olds left me stunned, truly stunned.
Alcohol, drugs, "cutting," "sexting," bullying, downloading pornography to cell phones, suicide and suicidal thoughts, body image issues including eating disorders in young women and access to supplements/steroids for your men to get "bigger/stronger" are all part of what technology and society provides to them.
When asked how many discuss these issues with their parents, less than 20 out of over 200 said they did, or could.
When asked how many "knew" they can hide these issues from their parents and present an image of "perfect, " almost everyone of the over 200 confirmed they can and do "conceal" from, if not deceive their parents, about their exposure to these issues, possible involvement in them, and especially in discussions about the impact the issues have on them and their lives.
While this is not directly on topic for this thread, what you posted, and what I listened to with open mouthed amazement today is so needed for parents and for anyone who reads this site and has a son/daughter in or moving to HS.
Whether it is in HS, college or a college visit, they are inundated with stimulus and risk and peer pressure and danger.
Most are ill equipped to understand the short and especially long term dangers and implications.
From where I sit, thank you, JH. Your post is very close to the real world for what can happen, or too often does happen for students from from ages 14-19, and even younger.
Our son's and daughters don't need to be perfect and we cannot expect them to be so. Since I surely am not perfect, I for one won't sit in judgment on any other son or daughter, or my own.
I fully support and acknowledge your courage in speaking truthfully and in providing personal insight into real world experiences.
Alcohol, drugs, "secks",Cutting, sexting, drinking on official visits and the like, are not just happening to "everyone else's kids.
While I am gradually moving into the sunset on the HSBBW, I want to once again acknowledge you for inspiring me.
While this thread was unfolding, I was sitting in a school auditorium filled with 14 and 15 year olds, some teachers and administrators, and one presenter, who happened to be my daughter.
During the session, the items which unfolded as part of the discussion and daily life for those 14/15 year olds left me stunned, truly stunned.
Alcohol, drugs, "cutting," "sexting," bullying, downloading pornography to cell phones, suicide and suicidal thoughts, body image issues including eating disorders in young women and access to supplements/steroids for your men to get "bigger/stronger" are all part of what technology and society provides to them.
When asked how many discuss these issues with their parents, less than 20 out of over 200 said they did, or could.
When asked how many "knew" they can hide these issues from their parents and present an image of "perfect, " almost everyone of the over 200 confirmed they can and do "conceal" from, if not deceive their parents, about their exposure to these issues, possible involvement in them, and especially in discussions about the impact the issues have on them and their lives.
While this is not directly on topic for this thread, what you posted, and what I listened to with open mouthed amazement today is so needed for parents and for anyone who reads this site and has a son/daughter in or moving to HS.
Whether it is in HS, college or a college visit, they are inundated with stimulus and risk and peer pressure and danger.
Most are ill equipped to understand the short and especially long term dangers and implications.
From where I sit, thank you, JH. Your post is very close to the real world for what can happen, or too often does happen for students from from ages 14-19, and even younger.
Our son's and daughters don't need to be perfect and we cannot expect them to be so. Since I surely am not perfect, I for one won't sit in judgment on any other son or daughter, or my own.
I fully support and acknowledge your courage in speaking truthfully and in providing personal insight into real world experiences.
Alcohol, drugs, "secks",Cutting, sexting, drinking on official visits and the like, are not just happening to "everyone else's kids.
Thanks for posting that. And thanks JH for being real and bringing reality to this site on this topic.
I am surprised anyone is shocked by this. I saw lots of this in England. You enter a public washroom and there are kids shooting heroine . They follow you down the street to make sure you don't bring the Bobbies back !
I imported out of Mexico for years and the drug wars have made it too dangerous to do it anymore ! I was approached several times by the Cartel to bring drugs north ! They attached drugs to the under carriage of vehicles while unattended so I had dogs put through every time I crossed the border which was at least twice a day !
I had a relative strung out on drugs and finally jumped to his death.
I could go on for a week with disaster stories. To me it starts at home and our kids were not allowed to go to parties in HS . We got no arguement from any of them.
They related how rampant drugs and alcohol abuse was in school even in primary schools.
I imported out of Mexico for years and the drug wars have made it too dangerous to do it anymore ! I was approached several times by the Cartel to bring drugs north ! They attached drugs to the under carriage of vehicles while unattended so I had dogs put through every time I crossed the border which was at least twice a day !
I had a relative strung out on drugs and finally jumped to his death.
I could go on for a week with disaster stories. To me it starts at home and our kids were not allowed to go to parties in HS . We got no arguement from any of them.
They related how rampant drugs and alcohol abuse was in school even in primary schools.
BHD,
We get it.
You have seen everything.
Your children are those in the group who are perfect and have perfect lives in every way.
We get it!
It is everyone else with son's and daughters who you feel free to castigate as drunks and idiots, just like JH.
We get it.
You have seen everything.
Your children are those in the group who are perfect and have perfect lives in every way.
We get it!
It is everyone else with son's and daughters who you feel free to castigate as drunks and idiots, just like JH.
I expected your response so thanks for not disappointing !
quote:Originally posted by grandslamfan:
I thought this only happened in the football world, but I was wrong...
How did your son handle it?
This was the original post, if one goes back to read the entire 14 pages, one will see that much that goes on is not shocking. Begun in 2005, things haven't changed much.
No doubt that underage drinking or any drinking to excess is bad, no matter what age you are.
Look the bottom line is that I care that people understand that sons/daughters going to have to face decisions and you should prepare them for it, don't turn the other way or if you feel there is an issue you can't talk to your kids about it. It may very well be that he/she does something that is against the law, whether due to experimentation or pressure, but that doesn't make them idiots.
BHD, your son went to a small school that has a dry campus, that is really not the norm, many of the websters sons here get recruited to very big schools with very big sports programs. There is a lot of temptation out there. Some kids may not be as disciplined as yours.
The other thing is this, BHD, do you really think that anyone cares about what you did upteen years ago, your son's socialization, you and your wife dancing at bars. How great all 4 of your kids were while growing up? This is what frequently happens when you show up, not sure if you get that or not. You've taken a good topic and turned the past few pages into garbage.
JMO.
quote:BHD, you are so very lucky that your son is obviously so perfect.
I don't get the purpose of coming here and calling players out. No one is agreeing it is right, rather that this does happen.
Seems you had a part in the pages of garbage !
You went on to say I was naive.
I think this thread has run it's course.
Can someone put a knife in it and close it?
Can someone put a knife in it and close it?
quote:Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
Can someone put a knife in it and close it?
Why? It's a golden thread, if closed it will never surface again, lots of good stuff in it.
BHD, where specifically did I say you were naive? Please post what I sad specifically.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by TPM:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
lots of good stuff in it.
[QUOTE]
With just about as much GARBAGE now.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
lots of good stuff in it.
[QUOTE]
With just about as much GARBAGE now.
quote:Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by TPM:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
lots of good stuff in it.
[QUOTE]
With just about as much GARBAGE now.
Hopefully we can move forward. I had to close down the last topic that BHD got involved in with his nonsense, but I thought that it would be a shmae to close this down after 6 years. If anyone else wants to go for it.
I think the problem is we all just fall into it and get carried away with his nonsense.
I do commend the young guys for coming forward with stuff,we all probably did but too old to admit or remember.
There are a lot of idiots out there. I count myself in that group. I did a lot of things that idiots do. But I survived, at least so far. I had awesome parents. They taught me many things that I decided were not so awesome. And later realized they were right.
I have always said its better to learn from someone else's mistakes than your own. But for some reason many idiots do not learn that lesson until its too late.
We live and we learn. And we pass our wisdom on to our children and those we love and know. And we hope they learn from our mistakes and our wisdom given to them. And we pray.
If your kids have never been an idiot and you have never been an idiot I applaud you. If you have don't worry. You have plenty of company wether people admit it or not.
I have always said its better to learn from someone else's mistakes than your own. But for some reason many idiots do not learn that lesson until its too late.
We live and we learn. And we pass our wisdom on to our children and those we love and know. And we hope they learn from our mistakes and our wisdom given to them. And we pray.
If your kids have never been an idiot and you have never been an idiot I applaud you. If you have don't worry. You have plenty of company wether people admit it or not.
quote:From where I sit, thank you, JH. Your post is very close to the real world for what can happen, or too often does happen for students from from ages 14-19, and even younger.
Our son's and daughters don't need to be perfect and we cannot expect them to be so. Since I surely am not perfect, I for one won't sit in judgment on any other son or daughter, or my own.
I fully support and acknowledge your courage in speaking truthfully and in providing personal insight into real world experiences.
Alcohol, drugs, "secks",Cutting, sexting, drinking on official visits and the like, are not just
happening to "everyone else's kids.
Great post.
I don't think that Bobblehead's posts are beneficial to this discussion or that he is making any attempt to show the respect and civility that are requested in our Board Manners. I have suspended his posting privileges.
If any moderator wishes to do some cleanup of this thread, please do so, and let me know, otherwise I'll read through and do some editing.
Thanks much,
Julie
If any moderator wishes to do some cleanup of this thread, please do so, and let me know, otherwise I'll read through and do some editing.
Thanks much,
Julie
Coach May, JH - all great comments. Thanks for sharing as always.
One piece of advice I will give as this thread hopefully moves forward...
If you or your son does choose to partake in these activities (not condoning it either way, but choices are made often), one needs to be aware of the ramifications. If you get caught drinking alcohol on an official visit, I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find a college coach who would let that offer to join his club stand. If I were a coach and some high school kid decided he'd take the time that I am paying for him to see the school and go spend it partying with a bunch of girls, I would highly question his character and his future ability to help my team.
Another big ramification. Do not...EVER...post pictures of you participating in illegal activities on the Internet. Everyone and their mother now has a Facebook, Twitter, etc. The athletic administration at my school tells us that they can find it and get us in trouble. I don't know if that's true or not, but why take the chance? If you are drinking underaged, what's the point of putting pictures up for everyone to see it? It's not "cool". I've untagged every picture of me on my Facebook that has any alcohol in it whatsoever, from a keg down to a little red cup. Current coaches/administrators see it, future employers might see it. I understand the fact that you want to share your experiences and the good times that you've had with your friends. But the consequences of these actions far outweigh the benefit.
From a parent's perspective, I can't really comment on drinking on official visits because I haven't been there yet, experiencing a child of mine going on an official (maybe one day). If I am around when a recruit is visiting my school and have a chance to meet him and his family, I hope that I present myself in a mature and respectable enough fashion that they trust that I would set a good example of how the program is run and how things go at the school. And if I am hosting a player, I will do what's right by the player. I will make sure he has fun, doesn't get in trouble, and assist him in fully experiencing the life that we lead as a team for the brief amount of time he joins us.
If you or your son does choose to partake in these activities (not condoning it either way, but choices are made often), one needs to be aware of the ramifications. If you get caught drinking alcohol on an official visit, I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find a college coach who would let that offer to join his club stand. If I were a coach and some high school kid decided he'd take the time that I am paying for him to see the school and go spend it partying with a bunch of girls, I would highly question his character and his future ability to help my team.
Another big ramification. Do not...EVER...post pictures of you participating in illegal activities on the Internet. Everyone and their mother now has a Facebook, Twitter, etc. The athletic administration at my school tells us that they can find it and get us in trouble. I don't know if that's true or not, but why take the chance? If you are drinking underaged, what's the point of putting pictures up for everyone to see it? It's not "cool". I've untagged every picture of me on my Facebook that has any alcohol in it whatsoever, from a keg down to a little red cup. Current coaches/administrators see it, future employers might see it. I understand the fact that you want to share your experiences and the good times that you've had with your friends. But the consequences of these actions far outweigh the benefit.
From a parent's perspective, I can't really comment on drinking on official visits because I haven't been there yet, experiencing a child of mine going on an official (maybe one day). If I am around when a recruit is visiting my school and have a chance to meet him and his family, I hope that I present myself in a mature and respectable enough fashion that they trust that I would set a good example of how the program is run and how things go at the school. And if I am hosting a player, I will do what's right by the player. I will make sure he has fun, doesn't get in trouble, and assist him in fully experiencing the life that we lead as a team for the brief amount of time he joins us.
jh
coch rizzi here
let me add to your facebook etc post--
there are colleges who check these pages for all incoming students===be advised that there are ways to gain acess even if not listed as afriend
josh--touch base with me when you get a chance--we have a number of cllege select players coming your way in the fall
coch rizzi here
let me add to your facebook etc post--
there are colleges who check these pages for all incoming students===be advised that there are ways to gain acess even if not listed as afriend
josh--touch base with me when you get a chance--we have a number of cllege select players coming your way in the fall
quote:Originally posted by infielddad:
JH,
While I am gradually moving into the sunset on the HSBBW, I want to once again acknowledge you for inspiring me.
While this thread was unfolding, I was sitting in a school auditorium filled with 14 and 15 year olds, some teachers and administrators, and one presenter, who happened to be my daughter.
During the session, the items which unfolded as part of the discussion and daily life for those 14/15 year olds left me stunned, truly stunned.
Alcohol, drugs, "cutting," "sexting," bullying, downloading pornography to cell phones, suicide and suicidal thoughts, body image issues including eating disorders in young women and access to supplements/steroids for your men to get "bigger/stronger" are all part of what technology and society provides to them.
When asked how many discuss these issues with their parents, less than 20 out of over 200 said they did, or could.
When asked how many "knew" they can hide these issues from their parents and present an image of "perfect, " almost everyone of the over 200 confirmed they can and do "conceal" from, if not deceive their parents, about their exposure to these issues, possible involvement in them, and especially in discussions about the impact the issues have on them and their lives.
While this is not directly on topic for this thread, what you posted, and what I listened to with open mouthed amazement today is so needed for parents and for anyone who reads this site and has a son/daughter in or moving to HS.
Whether it is in HS, college or a college visit, they are inundated with stimulus and risk and peer pressure and danger.
Most are ill equipped to understand the short and especially long term dangers and implications.
From where I sit, thank you, JH. Your post is very close to the real world for what can happen, or too often does happen for students from from ages 14-19, and even younger.
Our son's and daughters don't need to be perfect and we cannot expect them to be so. Since I surely am not perfect, I for one won't sit in judgment on any other son or daughter, or my own.
I fully support and acknowledge your courage in speaking truthfully and in providing personal insight into real world experiences.
Alcohol, drugs, "secks",Cutting, sexting, drinking on official visits and the like, are not just happening to "everyone else's kids.
Thanks infielddad and JH for inspiring me. I have about 40 minutes with my 13 year old tonight on our way to a hitting lesson. Time to talk to Jr. about a few things.
Hope everyone has a good weekend and good luck to all that are playing.