A teenage perspective

Welcome back Family Room friends. We trust you enjoyed an eggs-traordinary Easter (surely we are allowed one egg pun!) and found our seasonal tips and ideas useful in creating a memorable family event.

This week, we are turning our attention to the world of teenagers and how that looks from both a parent’s and a child’s perspective. To start us off, we would love to introduce our beautiful new teenage writer Mary, who shares insight and wisdom from the clothes racks of her local factory outlet. Later in the week, check back for news from resident writer Ted as he steers his daughters into their teenage years and, wrapping up the week, Michaela will inspire you with thought-provoking moments from her own journey.

We hope our articles this week will give you food for thought, trigger a smile or two and maybe even bring a tear to your eye. Please don’t forget to leave us a comment – we love your feedback!

Enjoy,
TheFamilyRoom team

Dad, you’re a legend

Hello out there!

I guess I should introduce myself.

My name is Mary and I’m one of the new teen writers. I am in the beginning of my senior schooling years and I adore CHOCOLATE above all foods. Actually, anything completely covered in a grotesque amount of sugar. But enough of food!

Today, I am writing about an inspiration I had the other day. My family and I went out shopping for groceries and a new business suit for dad. We went down to the markets and had an incredible time.

I am the kind of girl who has her moments where she loves going out, but I’m generally a home body. So this day was one of those rare moments when I decided that it was a good day to get out … despite the horrible weather.

We started with the groceries, which turned out with Mum getting the fruits and veggies alone, whilst my brother, sister and I followed Dad to get lunch. Forgive me mother … but I could not pass up the opportunity of fresh sugared doughnuts!

Now to buy Dad a suit! We went to the DFO clothing outlet where Mum and I got a little sidetracked once we found out there were massive sales in every store. My little sister adored overly sparkly shoes, whilst my little brother lay on the floor moaning about how boring shopping was. Dad just played Tetris on his phone.

After about two or more hours of Mum, my little sister and I fawning over sale items such as a gorgeous $119 dress reduced to a mere $30, Dad gently reminded us that we were supposed to be getting a business suit.

So, as my little brother and I camped out in a giant, family-sized tent display in Kathmandu, Mum and Dad went in search of a suit. Sitting there, I realised that Dad had been really patient while Mum and I went on our little spending spree.

That whole time we were shopping, Dad had not complained once about us trying on clothes and shoes for a good couple of hours. The more I thought about it, the more I remembered Dad had been waiting silently and giving his opinion whenever asked.

I am very grateful to my Dad for sticking it out at DFO while we went crazy over stocktake sales. He made me realise it is important to pay attention to what other people do for you, silently as well as out loud.

Mary

Tagged as: Mary