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The decline of Western Civilization: the teen years

August 17th, 2007 by Gary M. Miller

Whereas one of Minnesota’s most celebrated bloggers will most likely inaugurate his parenting journey today, my parenting now enters a new and perilous phase — the teen years.

13 years ago today I held Brett Joseph Miller for the first time.  Named after Green Bay’s soon-to-be Hall of Fame quarterback, Brett’s only significant act of rebellion — thus far — is to claim Peyton Manning as his favorite NFL gunslinger. 

I am told this will change and acts in “independence” will soon become routine.  My wife Jean and I have always made it our ambition to produce not only good students with our children, but also good citizens.  To that end, we have homeschooled Brett and his two younger brothers for the better part of a decade.  In just a little over two weeks, however, Brett will be enrolling at Hope Academy in Minneapolis.  The onset of the teen years, coupled with this new chapter is Brett’s academic career, seem daunting to this imperfect father.

And yet I say to you, young man, that I couldn’t be more proud of who you are and what you have already become.  As I told you several years ago while watching “Peter Pan”, Brett, you are my “happy thought”. 

Happy birthday, son.


Posted: August 17, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Under: miscellany | 4 Comments »


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4 Responses to “The decline of Western Civilization: the teen years”

  1. SD63 Says:
    August 17th, 2007 at 1:42 pm

    Such a blatant example of child abuse naming him after a Packer. It is amazing and refreshing he escaped the brainwashing and chose Peyton Manning over Fav-ray.

    Seriously, I remember the little guy standing beside me at my wedding in his “tucker”.

    Happy Birthday to my ring bearer!

  2. Bob Collins Says:
    August 17th, 2007 at 3:44 pm

    What a good dad. What a good son. It’s quite the paradox. We want them to grow, and yet we want to hang on to them at the same time. Being a father is hard; harder than anything that *I’ve* ever done, anyway.

    My kids have survived the teen years. I think I did a pretty good job with them. Do they have values different than mine? In some ways, yes. I some ways no.

    But what does it mean to be a good citizen? Do they need to have the same, say, politics as me? Or do they just need to be critical thinkers, coming to their own conclusions in a logical way, even if the conclusion is wrong (in my opinon).

    Shoot, I don’t know. A lot of this parenting stuff is just hold on and pray.

    I do know this, though, Gary… MAN, does it go fast. . Wayyyyyy too fast.
    I know all the little old ladies who pinched my kids’ cheeks when they were young would turn to me and said, “it goes by fast.” And I’d smile and nod and think to myself, “thanks, nice little old lady, you’re the 10,000th person to say that.”

    It wasn’t until they were gone that I realized how smart little old ladies can be.

  3. Gary M. Miller Says:
    August 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am

    Thanks, Bob. Good thoughts.

  4. TerryD Says:
    August 18th, 2007 at 4:44 pm

    Happy Birthday to Brett…Congrats to you and Jean on entering the much-vaunted “teen” phase. It’ll be a breeze, Brett’s a great kid. Enjoyed having him in my Co-op class last year.