I am now the proud owner of a 16 year old child. I mean really proud. He is such a lovely boy (when do you start saying man?) even if he won’t tell me whether he’s got a girlfriend and what he talks about with his friends. He is clever, funny, gorgeous, sporty, kind (lazy as hell, but you can’t have everything)….what more could a mother want in a child? My first born child – what a moment that was, meeting him. We spent our first Christmas together in hospital trying to work out how to bond. I can so clearly remember his birth – it took two days for me to get him out of my body. Where has the time gone? He has helped me to understand the vast differences between men and women. He is ridiculously uncomplicated.
Watching him grow and develop has been a privilege. Watching him play football has made me understand how men work together. He has taught me to be a better person.
So. What am I allowed to do now that I have successfully managed to raise a reasonable human being without any instructions? (recent behaviour regarding suspicious muddy marks on the knees of his jeans excluded). A telegram from the Queen? A licence to drive a fork lift truck? A degree? A certificate at the very least? No. Zip. Nothing. It’s rubbish. I feel very unappreciated.
Whereas on the other hand, now he is the ripe old age of 16 he is allowed to (in no particular order of preference):-
- Get married
- Ride a moped of up to 50 cc’s
- Pilot a glider
- Have sex (SURELY NOT?)
- Join the armed forces WITHOUT MY PERMISSION
- Have a beer with a meal in a restaurant or pub, but not at the bar.
- Buy scrap metal
- Buy a fish (WHAT?)
If he lived in Canada he’d be able to drive now….
What else can you do round the world when you’re 16?
December 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Pay full price for air and train tickets!!!
My queenager is 16 in Feb and already learning to drive. Gulp!
December 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
wow, that list is already a lot to do at sixteen. in SOME states you could get married & have sexual consent. can't join armed forces until you're 18. can't drink until you're 21. you can drive, but some states have limitations on teen driving.
so maybe he's pretty lucky? or maybe you wish some of these he couldn't do? sounds like you've raised him right and i think that's the true reward.
happy 16th birthday to your son. hope he has a fabulous birthday.
December 21st, 2008 at 3:16 pm
sigh…(hug) my girl is 17 on 28th and my thoughts have been similar…
she is beautiful, bright, unspoilt (i hope) kind, thoughtful and also terrifying, messy and loud….
Please drop by and read todays (sunday) post!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
You can’t buy a fish unless you’re 16?
In Arkansas, you can get an unrestricted driver’s license…and even though Sweet 16 parties are not so popular these days, cars are still the birthday present of choice. You can start working at 15, but I don’t think you can get married until 18 (unless you have parental consent).