Proud of DS(14)

[NamingOfParts]

DS has spent 3 Saturdays in aid of RBL sorting and selling poppies. Tomorrow he will be attending the Remembrance Day parade.

A year ago DS wouldnt volunteer for anything.

[bigbluebus]

Well done to your DS.
My DS similarly didn't see that point in volunteering at that age. His attitude was "Why bother doing something you are not getting paid for". That all changed when he had to do voluntary work for his Dof E. He had to do and hour a week for 3 months which he actually enjoyed. He has since also helped out a charity events (DH works for a charity) and has enjoyed doing that too.

[ObscuredByClouds]

That's brilliant! Love hearing teen good news stories. My two (12/16) are a joy. Teens can be wonderful x

[NamingOfParts]

Thank you both. He has not so far been 'trouble' just uninterested in pretty much anything. He joined Army Cadets a year ago and whether through their good influences, growing up a bit or a combination of both he seems to be waking up.

[Theas18]

That's fab. You definitely should be proud :-)

My 16yr old got up today scrubbed up and put his overcoat on to smarten up to wear his poppy at the remembrance service. I was mightily proud (even though he forgot actual shoes and wore his holey converse- never mind!) .

He was also chosen to read names off the school war memorial at their service on Friday. I think he's been a bit shaken that for old boys of the school , boys like him, there were 6 sheets of A4 of names that took a long time to read

There are a lot of lovely teens around. It's a shame the good news isn't broadcast like the bad.

[AViewfromtheFridge]

My Year 11s last year always complained that kids who were "normal and good" got no recognition. I'm inclined to agree! In my experience, most teenagers are lovely.

[NamingOfParts]

AView, I agree with you about the lack of recognition for continual low profile good behaviour. We have seen this a lot in both primary and secondary school. The secondary school is trying to counteract this with a system of emailing when students show extra effort. Sadly the school then offsets all of this by issuing class-wide punishments (short detentions, extra homework etc) when a gaggle of students play up.

I know that virtue is its own reward but it is galling for basically well-behaved students to be overlooked for behaviour awards in favour of the little sod who managed not to stab anyone with the compasses for a week.

Hurrumph!