At that awkward age
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I say awkward not because they are socially inept or in that uncomfortable teenage stage where one's physical features are all growing at different rates from each other. But awkward because they are college age but can't legally drink.
Hoping to provide them with a strong-like-bull moral compass and also set a good example, the three of us legal adults have refrained from imbibing adult beverages around them and visiting adult watering holes. Instead we've been attempting to promote non-drinking activities on the weekend. Which, with our stunted imaginations, has amounted to just watching lots of movies on Netflix. Oh, and playing "water" pong. With the weather lately being a combination of hot, steamy and stormy, even lounging around poolside has been struck off our short, unimaginative list of things to do.
No doubt if they were hanging out with friends of their own age, they would be participating in activities that neither I nor their parents would want to know about. Two of them are at Greek organizations at their respective colleges. But because they're stuck with us and under our watch, they are restricted to shopping, eating and napping. And on Friday nights, we all gather around the telly and watch something terrible like Eat, Pray, Love (have you ever seen so much crying in one movie??).
They're too cool to want to do things like go to the zoo, go bowling or play board games with us but not comfortable enough in their own skin to think it's cool to sit around at home on the weekend. So what does one do at this awkward age*? Is it really as dull as they make it out to be and is drinking really the only social activity that I do?
*Before you go throwing out suggestions willy-nilly, remember that I will most likely have to participate in these activities as well. Magic Mike is off the list of suggested activities...
this picture is absolutely priceless!! x
ReplyDeleteHaha, I actually heard Magic Mike was decent? Shocking, I know. But as for your predicament - heck, you've stumped me. The only thing I know what to do with people younger than me and just shy of the legal drinking age is go to karaoke bars. But I guess that promotes drinking... Oh well!
ReplyDeleteoh wow... seems like a responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI guess sharpening their poker skills is out too--if board games and bowling aren't cool enough. And if they vetoed the zoo, museums are probably not an option. Hmmmm...I considered suggesting an athletic activity, but I'm afraid you weren't joking about the coordination thing--I'd feel terrible if you sprained something. I'm stumped.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's a tough one. Perhaps a game of pool minus the cheap beer?
ReplyDeleteSHOPPING!!!! new surrogate family, eh?
ReplyDeleteAhaha, while I'm 19 and drinking is legal for me here, I never do. Basically, my major activity is to eat, anywhere, everywhere -c afes, restaurants, etc... not gonna lie, I am excited for Magic Mike to come out here.
ReplyDeleteMagic Mike off the list? Damn, that would've been my first suggestion too.
ReplyDeleteI say check out all the cool summer activities in your area. Like festivals and free stuff. I always like to take advantage of events like that in the summer. Because once winter comes, I'm hibernating.
Hmm...I'm not sure how much solid time you have with them and what's in your area, but how about a mini-road trip? Take three days and head somewhere else (at least there's A/C in the car, right?).
ReplyDeleteOr if they're even remotely creative types, maybe you could make some music videos together (like these chicas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaAWdljhD5o), or take up spinning poi (I'm pretty sure being able to spin fire is cool no matter who you are).
Too bad bowling's out. I remember spending a good deal of time doing that, shooting pool, and playing miniature golf. :)
*snicker* Magic Mike . . .
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've got nothin'. Even at their age my friends hailed from all corners of the world--specifically those that call entertainment the likes of drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee, eating good food, laughing and chatting for all hours. We were happy as clams--but the occasional stray who would join us had the same reaction as your surrogate family members.
Good luck, my friend! :)
So fun to meet you! We are transplants to Texas which is great because I treat everything as a 'cultural' experience...and I love doing that. My daughter is heading off to college soon....we are talking serious book reading, bed snuggling, health food seeking teen. She will have to work hard to find her non-party girl niche. Luckily she is in Chem. honors program of 45 other girls so hopefully that will give her a like-minded group to start off with... Thanks for those recommendations in Austin!
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ReplyDeleteLMAO....I'm surprised they haven't one a mutiny yet!!! Rooth, you kill me with these posts....and I mean that in a good way:P
ReplyDeleteReally, aside from drinking, I have no suggestions. This was a waste of a comment!
Oh, I HATED that age...being in college but not legal drinking age was the worst! It's so funny, now (at 23) I'm not "too cool" for things like bowling and the zoo...in fact, those are some fun activities!
ReplyDeleteThat is awkward. Up here the age limit is 19(or 18 in two provinces) so there isn't much overlap between college and non drinking age.
ReplyDeleteDo they like to cook? What about throwing dinner parties together based on countries around the world. You could have a cooking olympics where everyone is given a country and has to create a dish from there. Hmm...I want to do that now
That is quite an awkward time - I remember I couldn't wait to get back to campus and just enjoy life. My parents and older sister were (and still are) incredibly strict and traditional, so the most exciting things I did were shopping and eating out.
ReplyDeleteWhen my "little" cousins started college, I was determined to show them how wonderful life is at that age, without the usual partying and drinking most college students succumb to. We took cooking classes, went paddle boarding, short road trips on the weekends, and watched a ton of movies. I actually miss that time a lot - they were great ways of getting to hang out and learn more about each other in ways we forget in our later 20s.
Hope this helps!
LOL, way to set an example!! It is tough at that age, to have fun, and be cool, and stay legal. Can't wait to hear more about this surrogate family.
ReplyDelete*Erin
Hey, shopping, eating and napping doesn't sound so bad to me (maybe because I am that old). (but I am going to see Magic Mike tonight)
ReplyDeleteCoffee shops, cooking classes, bike rides, be tourists in your hometown. I actually have to be careful about how much I can drink (headaches), and there are so many fun things to do. Picnics? I can't wait to follow this story...
ReplyDeleteLord, my friends and I were such dorks at that age, I feel like my suggestions would be sort of ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I still haven't watched Eat, Pray, Love. Any good?
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
I like Lauren's suggestions! I will admit, I was a "good girl" and I waited to turn 21 before I started trying alcohol. There's plenty of museums to check out too, or maybe a Galveston Day if you can find the time?
ReplyDeletePS Eat, Pray Love WAS terrible. I'm also probably the only girl in the history of time who also loathes The Notebook. I just can't do sappy, "feel sorry for me", or unrealistically in love movies. I probably just started WW3 with that comment....
You know if they named it Magic Marvin, I doubt it would be so popular.
ReplyDeleteHaha Magic Mike was so good. I had really low expectations but have plans to see it AGAIN. Ummm jeez I'm having a hard time coming up with any recommendations. When it's so hot outside, everything I've got goes out the window. Reading... DIY - crafts... cooking/baking... board games... garage saleing... silly competitions... hmmmm
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