My friend Matt told me about this Ted Talk by Sarah Jayne Blakemore which gives a peek into the adolescent brain. It is well worth your time.
Here is my favorite snippet of what Sarah had to say:
“So what’s sometimes seen as the problem with adolescents — heightened risk-taking, poor impulse control, self-consciousness — shouldn’t be stigmatized. It actually reflects changes in the brain that provide an excellent opportunity for education and social development.”
so THAT’S what’s going on – good to know. (but still won’t stop me from asking “What were you thinking?” I’ll just try to remember that when they reply, “I don’t know.” They really don’t know because most likely they weren’t thinking about a given situation the way I would.
Yeah, I get the same answer, “I don’t know.”
I do remember that when I was a teenager I used to say that and really I DIDN’T KNOW why I would do some of the things I would do and say some of the dumb things i would say. It’s hard being a teen. Maybe I can be more understanding now to my teen. Thanks Parentzilla!