Page 25 | Things you can’t believe your teenager doesn’t know

Annoyingwurringnoise · 2022-12-26T23:39:57+00:00

My teenage DS, who went to a Church of England primary school, does not know the song Little Donkey. I am utterly perplexed as to how this can possibly be. He’s been a donkey twice in nativity plays, once at preschool and once at school, but he swears he doesn’t remember Little Donkey. What things have you found out your teenagers don’t know that’s just left you scratching your head in disbelief?

billycat321 · 30/12/2022 23:23

Talking to my grand daughter (23) about my student days and said I was in the debating society. She had no idea what a debate or debating were

Aquasulis · 30/12/2022 23:28

GloomyDarkness · 30/12/2022 14:19

Anyway, my 14 year old cannot tell the time. No hope at all on an analogue clock. He can read the numbers of a digital clock, but could not tell you, for example, that 21:00 was 9pm, which is 15 minutes after 20:45 and would be the tone he'd be going to bed on a school night.

Our teens sort of learnt 24 hour clocks as their alarm clocks for a few years were 24 hour one - so it got automatic to take 12 off hour and convert.

They did all get a wrist watch with the to and from and minutes in 5 and quarters etc like I had as a child but both primary schools they attended dislike watches are they frequently weren't allowed to ware them. So it does come from conversations with us and they still convert to digital.

Bike riding - youngest two can ride - eldest seems afflicted with dyspraxia like me but to a worse degree as I could ride as a child. As an adult not riding has really impeded my life.

Bikes are expensive though and I agree with PP it can be sign of family wealth - swimming is something ours can do can do but it was bloody expensive and took moving to a location with decent lessons nearby. Not all their friends can though secondary school does have a pool and they do have a few lessons.

1069 - think Welsh and Normans had clashes - but all I could find was- Anglo Saxon baron with welsh support fighting in Shropshire against the Normans -
www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/shrewsbury-entertainment/2018/04/02/1069-and-all-that-welsh-and-normans-face-off-at-shrewsbury-castle---with-pictures/

My son learnt to tell the time both analogue and digital in year 3 it’s part of the NC. Both 12 and 24 hours. Train timetables and bus timetables as well. It’s in the maths curriculum.

gawditswindy · 31/12/2022 00:56

T1Dmama · 30/12/2022 16:08

I don’t think you can compare buying a second hand bike for a tenner and running along next to a child teaching them how to ride with £30 an hour driving lessons and £thousands to buy a car. ….. which coincidentally the kids I know who don’t have these skills have 2 working parents, brand new cars, the latest iPhone bought upfront etc…… so the 2 don’t go hand in hand at all…..
infact round here all the poorer kids are out playing and cycling around, the bikes are just handed down from sibling to sibling rather than shiny new ones being bought for each kid.
I get swimming lessons cost money, and often aren’t cheao… but again if you can afford an iPhone, even if on a £40 contract a month, a car, costa coffee, lunches out etc and a holiday every year then surely swimming lessons are an investment?! It’s lovely going on holiday… but when I was 11
i witnessed a non swimmer almost drown… I’ve also had to drag a child out of the sea before because her parents thought her being able to swim One length was somehow a good enough reason to stop lessons. Of everything my parents did for me, teaching me to swim is the one thing I’m most grateful for…. It makes holidays so much more enjoyable and water sports a possibility. It’s a skill I’ve always insisted my child also does, when money is tight her lessons still happen, I go with out other stuff…

Maybe take a minute or two to consider a world where people genuinely have no money for swimming lessons (minimum £11 a go where I live) and can't afford a bike.
They possibly need a car because public transport is dreadful and it's very difficult doing anything without internet access (smartphone?) these days.

It's not always as simplistic as it seems

T1Dmama · 31/12/2022 02:32

In some cases yes I agree. But like I say, the families I know this isn’t the case… you don’t need a new car for it to be reliable or a £700plus smart phone to have access to
the internet.
you can’t say ‘all’ kids that can’t swim or ride a bike are poverish…. Some are… most probably aren’t, some definitely aren’t.

Angelil · 31/12/2022 02:34

Krakenwakes · 30/12/2022 22:01

Part of the problem with bikes where I live is that lots of people live in flats and there’s not much room to store a bike or two in a flat.

This isn’t or shouldn’t be an issue in/of itself though? I live in the Netherlands. Most people live in flats and/or have no indoor storage for bikes. You just lock it on the street (to itself, to a lamppost, or to a special metal hook that has been added to an external wall). Dutch wisdom has it that the lock should almost cost more than the bike though 😂 (mine didn’t but probably cost close to 25% of the bike’s price…haven’t had it nicked yet and it’s been 5 years 💪)

QueenSmartypants · 31/12/2022 02:38

Angelil · 31/12/2022 02:34

This isn’t or shouldn’t be an issue in/of itself though? I live in the Netherlands. Most people live in flats and/or have no indoor storage for bikes. You just lock it on the street (to itself, to a lamppost, or to a special metal hook that has been added to an external wall). Dutch wisdom has it that the lock should almost cost more than the bike though 😂 (mine didn’t but probably cost close to 25% of the bike’s price…haven’t had it nicked yet and it’s been 5 years 💪)

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The Netherlands has it so sorted for bikes.

The UK doesn't.

In many places, it's prohibited to secure your bike to random railings and lampposts. In many places, if you do you'll be lucky to come back to a bike!

And there aren't many bike storage places around all the time.

Angelil · 31/12/2022 03:05

QueenSmartypants · 31/12/2022 02:38

The Netherlands has it so sorted for bikes.

The UK doesn't.

In many places, it's prohibited to secure your bike to random railings and lampposts. In many places, if you do you'll be lucky to come back to a bike!

And there aren't many bike storage places around all the time.

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fair enough. The original thread was about things teens don’t know - but I have learned something here (have lived abroad since 2008 so clearly out of the loop on some issues!). Thanks!

sashh · 31/12/2022 03:08

T1Dmama · 30/12/2022 16:08

I don’t think you can compare buying a second hand bike for a tenner and running along next to a child teaching them how to ride with £30 an hour driving lessons and £thousands to buy a car. ….. which coincidentally the kids I know who don’t have these skills have 2 working parents, brand new cars, the latest iPhone bought upfront etc…… so the 2 don’t go hand in hand at all…..
infact round here all the poorer kids are out playing and cycling around, the bikes are just handed down from sibling to sibling rather than shiny new ones being bought for each kid.
I get swimming lessons cost money, and often aren’t cheao… but again if you can afford an iPhone, even if on a £40 contract a month, a car, costa coffee, lunches out etc and a holiday every year then surely swimming lessons are an investment?! It’s lovely going on holiday… but when I was 11
i witnessed a non swimmer almost drown… I’ve also had to drag a child out of the sea before because her parents thought her being able to swim One length was somehow a good enough reason to stop lessons. Of everything my parents did for me, teaching me to swim is the one thing I’m most grateful for…. It makes holidays so much more enjoyable and water sports a possibility. It’s a skill I’ve always insisted my child also does, when money is tight her lessons still happen, I go with out other stuff…

LOL at iphone, phone contract, costa and holidays! If you are poor you don't have those things.

As a country we don't invest in swimming. I have relatives in Australia, there someone not able to swim is looked on as someone not able to cross the road here. Every child has swimming lessons as part of their schooling.

cakeorwine · 31/12/2022 08:02

sashh · 31/12/2022 03:08

LOL at iphone, phone contract, costa and holidays! If you are poor you don't have those things.

As a country we don't invest in swimming. I have relatives in Australia, there someone not able to swim is looked on as someone not able to cross the road here. Every child has swimming lessons as part of their schooling.

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TBF - most people in Australia live very near the coast and beach life is part of the 'culture'.

Swimming in the sea in Australia is a bit different to a dip in the North Sea

PuttingDownRoots · 31/12/2022 08:18

Its very easy to say children should learn to swim.
However the big problem is lack of public swimming pools and affordable lessons. School swimming is also affected as bus hire is expensive...

Krakenwakes · 31/12/2022 08:33

Angelil · 31/12/2022 02:34

This isn’t or shouldn’t be an issue in/of itself though? I live in the Netherlands. Most people live in flats and/or have no indoor storage for bikes. You just lock it on the street (to itself, to a lamppost, or to a special metal hook that has been added to an external wall). Dutch wisdom has it that the lock should almost cost more than the bike though 😂 (mine didn’t but probably cost close to 25% of the bike’s price…haven’t had it nicked yet and it’s been 5 years 💪)

Show quote history

People aren’t allowed to lock bikes to lampposts or railings here- there are always signs saying they will be removed. I’ve never seen external hooks to the outsides of buildings either - I can’t imagine many freeholders or the council agreeing to that. Bikes left outside, even locked securely to something, are frequently stolen. I speak from bitter experience. There are some bike stands - not very secure - or locked bike storage shelters which can be rented on a long-term basis, but they wouldn’t be suitable for children.

Angelil · 31/12/2022 09:08

Krakenwakes · 31/12/2022 08:33

People aren’t allowed to lock bikes to lampposts or railings here- there are always signs saying they will be removed. I’ve never seen external hooks to the outsides of buildings either - I can’t imagine many freeholders or the council agreeing to that. Bikes left outside, even locked securely to something, are frequently stolen. I speak from bitter experience. There are some bike stands - not very secure - or locked bike storage shelters which can be rented on a long-term basis, but they wouldn’t be suitable for children.

Show quote history

See my previous post.

Zwellers · 31/12/2022 09:17

Lot of snobbishness on this thread and the usual digs at people who don't find history relevant or important to them in thier modern lives.
Does it bother me or the teens in my family we don't know about that past stuff in previous times. No we still manage to have conversations about things that interest us, rather than learning irrelevant old data and facts that are no use in today's life.

As usual on this site people think things that important or of interest to them and thier families (which is fine) should be of interest to everyone.

Millytante · 31/12/2022 10:14

Zwellers · 31/12/2022 09:17

Lot of snobbishness on this thread and the usual digs at people who don't find history relevant or important to them in thier modern lives.
Does it bother me or the teens in my family we don't know about that past stuff in previous times. No we still manage to have conversations about things that interest us, rather than learning irrelevant old data and facts that are no use in today's life.

As usual on this site people think things that important or of interest to them and thier families (which is fine) should be of interest to everyone.

That’s one way of reading things, but you surely can’t condemn comments which mourn that general knowledge that used to be universally imparted to make life make sense. Telling the time, reading a map, and so on?

Stripedbag101 · 31/12/2022 12:00

I think we should also celebrate what children know that we don’t!

they have access so so much information and they are little sponges. My nine year old niece knows so much about science, animals and Greek mythology! She learns it from national geographic and kids YouTube.

yes she doesn’t know bible stories or little donkey - but she has a huge knowledge bank that I didn’t have at her age.

she is wise enough to understand the bible was written by a bunch of men a very long time ago - and sees it as similar to trek mythology. She just isn’t as interested in it. And that’s okay.

theblackradiator · 31/12/2022 18:19

my year 10 teen didn't know how to use a tin opener or bottle opener too. It amazes me the simple things that they have no idea how to do or use.

Sleepysophie · 31/12/2022 19:04

@Stripedbag101 I get what you mean, I do, but I think OP was remarking on the fact that the child in question went to a faith school and didn't know the hymn. Might not have been such a strange thing had the child been to a non-faith school.

My husband knows a whole lot more than me about Greek Mythology (I mention that because you mentioned it as a topic) he has a Masters in Archeology and many more qualifications than me. However, when it comes to every day practical stuff he has no idea. Oil in car for example.

We all have our uses.

caroleanboneparte · 31/12/2022 19:23

Andrew Carnegie was Scottish not American! He was born in Dunfermline, Fife.

pigsinoodies · 31/12/2022 19:28

caroleanboneparte · 31/12/2022 19:23

Andrew Carnegie was Scottish not American! He was born in Dunfermline, Fife.

Before moving to America, becoming American, and then becoming an American businessman.

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:00

Swimming in the sea in Australia is a bit different to a dip in the North Sea

Don't people in the UK swim in rivers?. Where I live that is where many people drown.

cakeorwine · 31/12/2022 20:03

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:00

Swimming in the sea in Australia is a bit different to a dip in the North Sea

Don't people in the UK swim in rivers?. Where I live that is where many people drown.

Not really.

Full of sewage.

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:08

Wow! Where I live (NZ) swimming is a way of life and at this time of year many people are around water. What do UK people do in summer?

TheMoth · 31/12/2022 20:15

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:08

Wow! Where I live (NZ) swimming is a way of life and at this time of year many people are around water. What do UK people do in summer?

Go to Greece or Spain.

cakeorwine · 31/12/2022 20:18

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:08

Wow! Where I live (NZ) swimming is a way of life and at this time of year many people are around water. What do UK people do in summer?

I mean some people go in the sea.
But many people live far from it.

It's definitely not New Zealand. Or Australia

I don't think I have ever swum in the UK sea. I've done watersports in it but not actually swum just for swimming sakes.

In summer, people queue in cars to go to the coast ,sit on the beach, go to the pubs and the arcades and get sunburnt.

lieselotte · 31/12/2022 20:19

magicthree · 31/12/2022 20:08

Wow! Where I live (NZ) swimming is a way of life and at this time of year many people are around water. What do UK people do in summer?

Stay indoors playing computer games posting on MN

People do all sort of things in summer, including swimming. But you can't swim in the sea here for many weeks of the year, it's not warm enough (and we've had problems with sewage, and dogs allowed on many beaches too, so more mess). There are lidos, but you'd have to REALLY like crowds to go to one on a hot day.

Things you can’t believe your teenager doesn’t know

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