Can a Teen Get Away with Doing What He Wants?

As a parent, it is always interesting to hear my child’s perspective on life, the universe, and everything. Our family has dinner together almost every night, and occasionally a real gem of a conversation emerges. The following conversation with my elder son took place the evening before my younger son was to have several friends over for a birthday party.

The meal began quietly, so to spark some conversation, I asked my son, “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

He shrugged and answered simply, “I do what I want.”

This type of comment from a teenager will nearly always make a parent’s eyebrows rise. Mine were no exception. With eyebrows high, I responded, “Really?”

“I always do what I want,” was the bland response, as he took another bite.

My fork hovered mid-air, and I thought for a moment as I swallowed. After a brief pause, I asked, “So — tomorrow, during your brother’s birthday party, when I ask you to take a team of 11-year olds around the neighborhood for a scavenger hunt, you’ll do it because you want to, right?”

Without missing a beat, he looked me in the eye and replied, “I want to do what you ask me to do because I don’t want to get in trouble. Therefore, I do what I want.”

No further response was required, but I did give him a quiet high-five and enjoyed a good chuckle for the rest of the meal.