Why are you making a clone of me?

9545

Well, I suppose if someone else is finding some measure of success over here in America, then I can certainly find it in my heart to be pleased for them. 😁

Let us just take things one step at a time and keep typing away. 😘 👋

Little Megan Chase43 hooligan☕

Send him to my small town for some training; around here, what you're doing is basically a professional sport.☕

9544

9543

Look... he told me he bought some boxers—and specifically asked me not to tell Dad. Now I’m stuck in this impossible bind. If I tell Dad, I’m a traitor, plain and simple, and I’ll lose his trust—which is the one thing I actually care about right now. But if I keep quiet, I feel like I’m losing that sense of masculine perspective—that blunt, direct way of looking at things—and I have no idea how to explain that logic to him... how to make him see that it's better to just avoid the drama altogether rather than bracing for impact.

Ethan Jones, you’re basically an old soul trapped in a kid's body—you've got both perspectives swirling around in there—so maybe you can actually make sense of all these conflicting layers and contradictions...

I used to vent about stuff like this with my friend back in high school, but now I'm turning to you.

If you can, just have a little meeting with both sides of your brain and let me know what the verdict is.☕

9542

I can't exactly play shrink through a screen. It’s hard to give you any real advice when I don't even know the full story. You should probably talk to someone who actually knows you personally if you want actual guidance. I could sit here and philosophize all day if I wanted to, but it wouldn't do you much good.

Maybe I'll have a moment of clarity later. I can't exactly type out deep thoughts while I'm on the clock at work. 👋

9541

I honestly don't think you, me, or even some high-priced therapist actually has the answer to the messes they’re dealing with right now.
Their childhoods—and frankly, ours too—don't represent a standard generational gap; it feels more like a clash between two entirely different civilizations.

They can coordinate an entire brawl in fifteen seconds via some app just because someone hit "dislike" on a post. It's absurd.

He's still just a kid—you've got a few years to sit back and overthink it if you want, so don't sweat it too much.☕🤣

Knock on wood... at least we aren't out there swinging punches on this forum.☕

9540 Is there anyone actually stepping up to shovel the snow instead of just bickering with each other? ☕ Seriously, based on how this night and morning have gone, we’re going to be knee-deep in it by noon. ☕

9539

I actually witnessed this firsthand back in the States when I was visiting family—some kid was out there cleaning up the street right by my grandfather’s driveway as part of his community service. I'm not entirely sure if it was ordered by a judge or some social services agency, but honestly? I was impressed. It’s a concept I think we should be implementing everywhere for minors.

If you sentence a kid to a month of shoveling snow or raking leaves, there's really nothing better than that.

Megan Chase43 said:9541

I honestly don't think you, me, or any therapist out there actually has the answer to the situations they're facing.
Their childhood and youth—compared to ours—isn't just a typical generation gap; it feels more like a gap between two different civilizations.

They can coordinate an entire brawl in fifteen seconds online just because someone hit "dislike" on a post.

He’s still young; you've got a few years to figure things out, so don't stress too much about it.☕:r ofl:

Lord help us, at least we aren't throwing punches here on the forum.☕

Look, the least you can do is keep repeating yourself until it sticks. He'll eventually stumble into trouble, especially if he's into fighting, but the main thing is that he doesn't cause trouble himself. There's only so much you can do from a mother's perspective.

But seriously, I don't even recognize what kids are like today when he comes up to you and says, "Hey Mom, look, I bought some boxers."🤣 🤣

Back in my day, if I talked back like that, my mom would have kicked me right out the front door, and don't even get me started on my dad.☕

It's interesting how kids usually learn their lessons by listening to neighbors or older friends rather than their own parents. They often view their parents, especially their fathers, as the enemy. His dad could be a world-class educator, but he'll probably struggle to get through to him.

Like I said, I'm doing a lot of philosophizing here, but I'm not really saying much.☕

hiddenmarlin14 said:9540 Is there anyone looking for snow shoveling work instead of just fighting with each other? ☕ Given how it started last night and today, we're going to have knee-deep snow over here. ☕

You'd rather exploit them for labor? It's better to discipline them three times a day than to hand them a shovel or a hoe; that kind of thing will break them mentally for life. They'd hate you until the day they die.☕

9538

Ethan Jones5 said:You'd rather exploit kids, so you might as well beat them three times a day. It’s better than handing them a shovel or a hoe; that would just break their spirits for life and make them hate you until the day they die.☕

9538

Please, how am I supposed to lay a hand on them with these delicate little hands of mine? 🥳The labor is just way too heavy for me. ☕

9536

Is that actually the number of snowstorms you've had to deal with lately? 🕺

Ethan Jones5 said:Look, the bare minimum you can do is just keep repeating the same thing to him until it finally sticks—he’ll eventually trip over his own feet, especially if he's obsessed with fighting—but the main goal is making sure he isn't the one causing the mess. Honestly, there's only so much you can accomplish by playing the "motherly" or nurturing role.

It’s actually quite fascinating how kids usually learn their lessons from the neighbors or those older friends they hang out with—not from home. Parents, particularly fathers, are often viewed as the enemy. A dad could be a world-class educator, truly, but getting through to a kid in that dynamic? It’s an uphill battle.

9538

9535

We talked today. He opened up about everything, and for now, things seem to be under control.

You made a great point about those older friends. I mean, if the kid is 12, does that mean I need to find some 25-year-old mentor for him to talk to and hang out with?😒☕

Man, you’re out here philosophizing—you’ve really laid it all out for me. Everything makes sense now. We just need to find
some young mentor or counselor for the kid before it's too late.😬

9534

I mean, how on earth is Donkey supposed to be considered so brilliant? 🤷
If I may be so bold as to suggest it. 🕺

9532

Yeah. It’ll take him a bit—just enough time for everyone to get their stories straight in their heads—but once they finally settle on a plan around lunchtime, that’s all there is to it.🙂

9532

In my own head, things rarely seem to align quite right. I often find myself thinking one thing only to act in a completely different manner on the road, which I suppose is a regrettable way to live, though I tell myself it’s all for the sake of staying human. 🙂

Even Jim has lost his way a little bit lately. 🤔 🤣

9531

It’s easy for us—but for Djuro, straying even an inch from the path is dangerous; he's the one behind the wheel of 🙂

9530

From this point forward, I shall restrict myself solely to typing numerical digits. I am officially swearing myself to silence. 🕺

Megan Chase43 said:9535

We spoke today. He laid it all out for me, and as of right now, everything is under control.

You made a solid point about old friends. So, if Little Jack is only 12, I guess I need to go find some 25-year-old buddy for him to talk to and someone else to hang out with me.😒☕

You’re just talking for the sake of talking at this point. You think you’ve laid everything out perfectly and solved all my problems, but honestly? You’re just spinning your wheels. We need to actually find something.
I need a recommendation for a young educator for my kid before it's too late. 😬

Sure, they could pick someone younger, provided the person actually has some brains. But let’s be real—going with the older crowd usually plays better.☕

Kate Walker54 said:9534

How is Donkey so damn smart? 🤷
To put it bluntly. 🕺

That's the secret. If I gave it away, I wouldn't be half as smart as I am now—and honestly, my edge would be completely gone.😁

Megan Chase43 said:9532

Yeah, he needs some time to let everyone hash things out and get on the same page. But once they reach an agreement around lunchtime, that’s usually it. Everything's set.🙂

A changing man will always take up someone else's time.☕

9529

9528

Oh, please, Kate Walker54...

You know how Ivo Andrić used to say—there comes a time when the wise man just stays quiet...

Well, those days are long gone. Nowadays, being able to talk your way through things is everything.

Back home in my small town, we have a saying... let's just say I'm doing my part to save my own soul by speaking up.🙂

And look at that—here comes our resident little genius.

9527

I suppose there is a chance I might end up breaking my vow at some point. 🙂 🙂

9526

Yeah, obviously 🙂

I've gotta go. Catch you later 😍