I bet you never listened to your Mom’s advice about highschool either.

Last week I had to register my 12 year old for grade 8. It shouldn’t be a big deal right, but because he is entering high-school, for me it has been. My son and I have visited a few high school open houses and have discussed clubs that he might be interested in. After recently watching Freaks and Geeks he’s pretty sure he wants to stay clear from the AV club. Not that they’re called AV clubs anymore but he is technically inclined and, like his Dad, is quite the gamer. When I suggested drama, since he has always expressed an interest, he leaned in and whispered to me, “Drama kids get made fun of Mom.” Which is particularly interesting to me since he’s never attended a school that has provided a drama program. I cringed at his insight. I hope with all of my being he will stand tall in who he is and not bother to be what he perceives as being cool (and of course I speak from experience). The coolest people I’ve ever met have this self acceptance and are very comfortable with who they are. They don’t apologize and they don’t justify. They just are. Yesterday I came across a quote that sums up what exactly the advice I wanted to give my son as he enters high school next year. Using this quote, I slyly tried to enter this concept into a conversation with my 12 year old son as we were driving to pick up his younger brother.

Me: You know who Kurt Cobain is right?
Maceo: (Immediately answers without hesitation) Yeah, William Shatner.
Me: (slight giggle) Umm, no, not William Shatner. You’re thinking of Captain Kirk.
Maceo: Oh, yeah, sorry the guy who took a bunch of Heroin.
Me: Well yeah, but remember when we went to EMP in Seattle?
Maceo: Oh yeah, where they had that room with all those disturbing pictures of dolls and the naked baby in water? (he ended with a how embarrassing, shiver)
Me: Yes, the area with all the Nirvana stuff. You know their music right?
Maceo: um???
Me: Well, I’m pretty sure you’d recognize it if you heard it.
Maceo: Yeah, probably.
Me: Anyways, I saw this great Kurt Cobain quote today. It said, “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”
Maceo: . . .
Maceo: Captian Kirk had a great quote too, “Beam me up Scotty.”