What If You Had to Be 15 Again, But in 2025?

When Did We Forget How Awful It Was to Be 15?

Yikes!

Being a teenager these days seems tough, and I wouldn't want to go through it willingly. Parenting was never easy, but now, with social media, tons of technology, and our kids knowing more than us in some areas, being a parent is far more complicated.

Life used to be simpler, a feeling passed down through generations that our tech-savvy kids might not get. But things are moving fast now, not just between generations but even from the oldest to the youngest child. How many more things will change when our kids become parents?

Looking back, I got my first cell phone at 21, and it was a large device that had to be mounted in the car. Making a call on it costs a small fortune. Now, I see eight or 9-year-olds with fancy smartphones. The change happened so quickly; fifteen years ago, getting your first cell phone was a big deal in high school. The disappearance of home phones might be part of this quick change.

In the 80s, organizing house parties meant calling on the "home phone" to make plans. Parties could get a bit wild, but they were kept in check. Now, parents letting their kids have parties step into uncertain territory. Even with security measures in place, a small event can quickly escalate into a major calamity online in minutes. I once picked up my daughter from a party, and there were as many kids outside trying to get in as there were inside, and the parents were home!

In my youth, we didn't talk about mental health except for whispers about eating disorders or suicide attempts. Now, teenage mental health struggles are common and tragic events that spread like wildfire. Likes on social media can significantly impact a teenager's self-esteem, and once something is online, it remains visible forever. Smartphones make everyone a paparazzo, documenting every moment. Mistakes, once forgiven and forgotten, can now haunt a teenager forever.

In my youth, learning from mistakes meant growing personally and being self-aware. There is no tolerance for any mistake, with public humiliation becoming the norm. The flow of information among kids is crazy. Last week, my son heard about events in Europe and immediately texted his friend in the city. Within seconds, he learned her family was safe.

Even though our kids love their devices, they aren't immune to the pain caused by social media. My daughter's mood changing based on Instagram likes isn't a one-time thing. Parents discuss how their kids become upset due to mean comments or negative posts.

Our kids are growing up too fast, and while progress is good, it also brings a tough reality. The most important lessons our kids learn may occur on social media, and they may never fully recover. It's a tough situation that needs our understanding, empathy, and acknowledgment that being a teenager today is a journey we wouldn't wish on ourselves.

Because Sometimes, They Need Someone Who Isn't You

The teen years can feel like a storm: identity crises, friendship drama, pressure to be everything, know everything, fix everything. And as parents, we want to help. But sometimes, we’re too close to it.

Mentorship isn’t about fixing teens. It’s about walking beside them while they figure things out. It’s having someone in their corner who won’t judge, won’t panic, and won’t default to “you’ll be fine.”

It’s someone who remembers what it was like and helps them see they’re not broken, just becoming.

If your teen is in the thick of it and you're unsure what to say anymore, mentorship might be the support that helps them through.

Let’s find the right fit together.