If you get a chance...

[Robin Carlton]

...watch the movie American Teen.

It was a wonderful movie and SUCH an eye opener / reminder of how hard being a teenager is. Man you couldn't pay me to go through all that awkwardness and self-discovery again but it also brought back this crazy feeling in my heart about what an amazing thing we made it through and how important it is for us as parents to help our own kids through it the best way we possibly can.

I'd love to know what you guys think when/if you watch it. I caught it on demand this afternoon just sitting around while the kids were playing outside. I'm so glad I did.

R

[heyitslauriebeth]

I just added it to my Netflix, I had heard about it awhile ago and I kinda want to see it.

[lauren grier]

I'm still awkward. lol

[Jenn Barrette]

I will definitely add it to my must-see list. I don't think you could pay me to be a teenager again.

[Robin Carlton]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

I'm still awkward. lol

Strangely it reminded me of you :P

[Libby Pritchett]

Shoot I can't find it on netflix. Does anyone have a link? (I swear I'm not an idiot. lol)

[Mandy]

My daughter is 13. Is this something she can watch with me?

[Robin Carlton]

Originally Posted by Mandy

My daughter is 13. Is this something she can watch with me?

Yes Mandy - I think it would be a great movie for parents and teens to watch together.

There is one situation where a girl sleeps with a boy (you dont see any of it, you just hear what happens as she cries to one of her best friends) and he breaks up with her and that just crushes her to the point of her not being able to go to school for like 17 days but she picks herself up again and ends up finding her way.

There is one scene with underage drinking.

There is also some mean behavior by the princess "type".

Overall though, it's a great example of how EVERY position and group in high school struggles with their own issues and learns to get through it to find themselves. I think it has the potential to open up some great conversations between parents and teens.

R

p.s. - I should elaborate La that you reminded me of the girl named Hannah, pretty, sweet and marches to the beat of her own drummer. Didnt want you to think I thought of you as a kid

[lizzyfizzy]

thank you for sharing that!! maddie and i really pride ourselves on being close and that's something i want to keep!! for sure...who doesn't right? anyway...i will have to see this!

[amysum1]

Oh I soooo need to watch this with my DD. She is 16 and thankfully she is NOTHING like I was at that age. We still have our issues, don't get me wrong, (we butt heads a lot lately) but overall she is a really good kid. This looks so interesting though, so maybe we can catch it on On Demand tomorrow since there is no school! Thanks for pointing it out to us! I agree, the teen years suck so bad! As far as outgrowing the ackward stage, well, I am 36 and still waiting to do that.

[schock77]

Thanks for the rec Robin. I too would rather take a fork to the eye than live through those years again, but I think it's a good reminder too especially as our kids get older, because it IS hard (and IMO getting harder)...

[Robin Carlton]

Originally Posted by schock77

I think it's a good reminder too especially as our kids get older, because it IS hard (and IMO getting harder)...

You know I agree but I think what I really loved about this movie is the fact that you hear sooo many bad things about teens these days (that scary article about 13 year old dad yesterday comes to mind) but overall these kids were just good, normal, awkward kids making their way through their senior year with all the pressures that go along with it. So many things glorify and sensationalize teen challenges and this was a really "sweet" look at the whole thing.

As you can see, I cant say enough good things about this.

R

[lauren grier]

lol so I just watched the clip.. .and while most of it was blah blah blah to me.. I DID giggle when the girl said something like most girls would give their left boob to date him haha. that was all.

I wanted to tell you I actually finally clicked your link ^_^

[Robin Carlton]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

lol so I just watched the clip.. .and while most of it was blah blah blah to me.. I DID giggle when the girl said something like most girls would give their left boob to date him haha. that was all.

I wanted to tell you I actually finally clicked your link ^_^

LOL - left boob girl was the one I liked best and the one who made me think of you

[meganmecrazy]

I'll have to remember this the next time we go to rent movies! Thanks Robin!