Teen Trauma

Teen overdose this weekend.  I ended up unexpectedly working on a river cleanup with about 50-60 teens from the Challenge Network, an organisation that aims to "connect and inspire young people in order to strengthen their communities with programmes that create a rite of passage for 16 year olds, promote social mixing and support community engagement."

This is a very admirable organisation and we have had some of their kids along to our general cleanups recently but, my word, a whole flock/gaggle/herd of them on a muddy river bank (smelling of dog pee) on a chilly autumn Sunday was a challenge in itself.

Don't get me wrong, they were great kids - full of life, energy, laughter, hysteria, shrieking, boredom, idleness, energy, helpfulness, shyness, self consciousness - just typical teens really.  But I now realise how long it's been since I have dealt with teens en masse. I turned into my mother. "Please don't sit on the table - it's only plastic. Don't sit on the table (blank eyed stares in return). Can you get off the table! Off the table now!" (as it tips and collapses)....

I spent much time soothing girlie hysteria (Argh! A used condom! I'm not touching that! (despite being clad in waders, rubber gloves and wielding a 3 foot long litter picker). Pointing desperate boys to secluded bushes for a pee (why can't they hang on for 20 mins?). Sluicing them repeatedly in hand sanitiser and eyewash (they took the health and safety talk about Weils disease very seriously) and lecturing that would be no cake until they finished their sandwiches....

Ruminating afterwards, you realise what learners teens are.  I wouldn't be a teen again for anything. There were some who were incredibly helpful, polite and appreciative, some who were strong, sassy and funny, some who were just drifting along and unengaged and some who were desperate for the attention and approval of their friends and frankly, acted like dorks. Gosh, life at that age is such a drama!

Overall, though it was a strain at times (good thing that I have a strong pair of lungs for being heard over the uproar), I think it was good for me to reconnect and remind myself what it's like being 16, and be thankful that I NEVER HAVE TO GO THERE AGAIN!