Teen Response.

As a teenager of 15 years, I know many people use stereotypes against us because of our age, having the mentality that we all are not serious, responsible, or reasonable. I know many adults who believe all youth are just young and naive, and are not worth listening to. Yes, I can see where the thought and stereotype comes from, I do have to admit. Plenty of young ladies and men can act quickly out of emotion and sparks of ideas, instead of thinking their thoughts and plans through beforehand. But, I am afraid that is not always the case. I know quite too many stories of times where a parent and child go through a sticky situation or problem where one of them has to take the blame, and it is not always the teens who make the mistakes.

A few months back my mom and I were watching my little cousins Enrique and Isabella for my Titi (Aunt) Marciana. My Titi had dropped them off at 8A.M. and would be back a little before dinner to pick them back up that day. My mom and I both looked after them throughout the day, taking turns when the other had to do something or needed a break. From 8 up to the time of 11 o'clock I had been watching the little ruggrats. I had then asked my mom if she could come down and watch them because I wanted to shower and clean up for the day. She agreed and went downstairs to take care of them for me. When watching the kids my mom had received an important phone call (while I was still in the bath). She went outside on the porch to hear and talk better because she could not hear in the noisy house, so she put on a movie for my cousins to occupy them for the time. She must have forgotten how curious and creative 3 and 5yr. olds are since she left the 2 kids not watched to roam a big house. My mom would only be on the phone for 10 minutes but a lot can happen in those few minutes; which did end up happening. Turns out Rique and Isa really wanted to color... so they decided to all over our hallway walls. Let’s just say my mom was not a "happy camper" when she came back inside to see the drawings. Enrique, Isabella and I got in trouble that night. Apparently, it was my fault for leaving the crayon box out on the dining table though my mom was the one to leave them untended.

There can be many arguments on who should take the blame for the artistry within our household at the time, and let me tell you there was. By the end of the dispute I believe it was known that most of the responsibility had to be taken by my mother for she was the one supposed to be watching them at the time; though no one was meaning for it to happen. When bad situations happen with a few people many times it can be difficult to settle on who takes the blame. The one way I truly see it fair to say who takes the responsibility is to give a little to all who were involved. Every situation is different, and everyone has made mistakes, but let it be known age should not distinguish who should then take responsibility. Responsibility is something we all must take at one point in life, so when the time comes, be ready to take and embrace it.