Wise Words from a Teenager...

I get to hang out with teenagers for a living. Yes - it's my job, and I love it! I've been doing it for about 10 years now and every so often I have a conversation with a teenager that blows me away. A few days ago I had one of those conversations.

I was talking with an 8th grade boy over lunch, and as we talked we got on the topic of his family. I asked him about his parents, and he responded by saying he has a great relationship with his parents. As we talked about his relationship with his parents he said it wasn't always like that... He went on to explain that his Dad used to work alot, and was really high up in a well-known company, but the downside of that was he never saw his Dad. His Dad would leave at 6:00 in the morning and return around 10:00 at night. This young man said the only thing that was good about his Dad's job was that he got a lot of cool presents at Christmas and for his birthday.

Today, his Dad has a different job. One that pays less, but one that keeps him around the house more. I asked the young man what he thought about his Dad's new job, and does he miss getting all the cool toys. This was his response - "I would rather have my Dad's presence than any present in the world!"

WOW!!! Instead of having an Xbox 360, an Ipod, video games, and more - this 8th grade boy would rather have his Dad around. What a challenge. As a Dad I want to be around for my daughers. Time means a lot more than any present money can buy.