You don't have to be a parent. The one bit of advice you would give a teenager based upon your experience?

Answer 1

Great question, as usual!

Same advice I gave to my teenaged nephew and niece:

Don't be dumb like your Uncle Tim and wait 'til you're 40 to go to college.
Work hard; study hard; play hard. Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously.
Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.
Have no fear of being honest.
Do No Harm.
When you are ready for love, choose your loved one with great care.
Travel the world whenever you can. Don't just park your dead azz in the US of A and expect the world to come to you. There are PLENTY of beautiful sights and gracious people in the most unexpected places.
Last but foremost: Live the life you love, and love the life you live.

(Oh, you wanted ONE bit of advice? The Spanish Inquisition, a la Monty Python: "Our main weapon is surprise, fear and surprise. Our two main weapons are fear, surprise, and a fanatical devotion to the Pope. Our three main weapons...")

Answer 2

Just because a person has a baby young doesn't mean their advice is invalid. They've been where I've been and know what I don't know. Good advice is good advice. I've given mothers advice when I wasn't pregnant before without issue. One mom asked me to show her how I calmed her baby down before I knew I was pregnant myself and she was older than I was. There's something you can learn from everyone. Saying I can't learn from a teenager is like saying a mom who's 80 can give me no advice because her information would be outdated.

Answer 3

Mine would be for teenage boys:

Pull your pants up.

You look like a fool with 'em down around your ankles and besides you can't run from the cops, an insane girlfriend throwing stuff at you and your "homeys" can easily pants you causing you no end of embarrassment when they see either the underwear your momma bought you, or the fact that your wedding tackle is the size of grapenuts...so what good are they? Pull 'em back up, buy a belt and get a job.

Answer 4

Take your education seriously and please go to college.

My mom works at a university (she will be retiring soon). I could have gone to school for free and stayed living at home and could have received a degree and had a much better career and wouldn't be struggling now. I passed the age where they cut off the benefits which was 25.

I am now about to turn 38 yrs old and am having a rough time going back to school and I'm stuck in a lousy job where they treat people terrible.

Answer 5

Even if u don't agree with other people's advice...even if u didn't ask for it...respect it. U don't have to follow it if u choose not to, but atleast grit ur teeth and say ok, thanx. Because one day, it might come in handy...and if ur unlucky enough to remember telling someone else the advice was stupid, or yellling at them for it, u'll feel bad, and worse, because u know if u say sorry...the words I told u so will follow, and then the person will think ALL their advice should be heard and followed by u.

Answer 6

Be true to yourself. Don't let others run your life (don't give in to peer pressure). Ask yourself what you want to do, and follow that dream. Only YOU can live your life; make the most of it, but be careful of not harming yourself or let anyone harm you in the process. Always be cautious. Don't use drugs, drink alcohol or smoke. These things don't get you anywhere but into misery, despair and death. Question, search for answers, but don't expose yourself to dangers. Your life is valuable, and you're not invulnerable. You can suffer harm if you're not careful. What I'm telling you here is what I have told my teen son.

Answer 7

Be careful who it is that you spend time with and what you do in that spare time. I heard many times you are known by the company you keep as a child. I always thought that was so stupid, but in general, people do, many times, clump you in a group with others no matter what the situation is.

In a perfect world we would all be seen as individuals. But we don't live in a perfect world.

Answer 8

learn how to handle/deal with your problems early on in life by getting as much advice from me (your parent). It's better to be wise than sorry. If you don't learn to deal with your problems, you will have a sucky life....or at least have a really hard life.


Edit: In addition, learn how to fix/solve problems and or avoid them if possible. Don't get into trouble.

Answer 9

Listen to and respect your parents, they really do know what's best for you. And don't be in such a hurry to grow up, have sex, try drugs, and get drunk. None of those things are all they are cracked up to be, although sex with someone you love can be breath-taking!
Oh, and don't have babies while you're still a teen! If you do, you'll grow up real fast.

Answer 10

Pick what you want to do with your life (career wise). Go to college, or a trade school, or become an apprentice and go for it! Most everything you do in life will be smoother if you have a career. No one can take your skills away.