Good morning, good morning to you,

with my first coffee, still dark, I like to answer.

It fulfills the writers pride in me, that you so much liked the given story. As a female, I thought it'd be fun to slip into the existence of male teenagers. :D

Teenage children are intuitive and their lack of experience and maturity makes it a natural phenomenon to look up to mature adults and search for meaning in their existence and identity. We should always give our time and attention to children who are curious and seeking these guidance's in an adult role model, in my opinion.

Yes, the role of the adult is significant, he is under permanent observation by the teenager and should be aware that the principle of "walk the talk" applies. Adults who feel comfortable in this role and are not insecure are usually more successful in getting along with teenagers. Those adults who are uncomfortable or insecure in the position of leading are less likely to be taken in their stride by young people and they will take every opportunity to test or annoy the adult :) - I can see that you know that and that parenting taught you great deal. It sure does us adults good to be a parent (or having substitute positions), right?

Hahaha, well it's slim pickin's out in the woods. I don't think he's found a good lady yet, but I'm pretty sure he's not opposed to the idea :D

The return of the Woodsman to civilisation would be a win for women. Lol - It would be a waste of his vitality to live so lonely and it would be another act of courage to embark on the most dangerous of adventures: a lasting relationship with the opposite sex. HaHa ;-D - Also, he'll find a companion who wouldn't even know about tinder & co.

I'm really happy you picked up on the depth to how I deconstructed certain character attributes, as a means to show the fragility of childhood. Oftentimes thick exteriors are put up as walls to portray images to others, which are nothing more than a security blanket the person portrays because of insecurities or fears. This rings true for both children and adults,

I was touched that the protective wall of the boys was taken down by you and you showed their emotional being moved. Without this component of expression of humanity, the description of experiences remains too superficial and one-dimensional. I really enjoyed how the end of your story read in this respect.

As for the technical things, I learned this in my training as a PR specialist, that when composing texts, numerical details are written in text form (although I don't set anything in stone, things change all the time), if you pay attention, in novels these details are never given in numbers and even with time details, they are only given exactly if, for example, the context inevitably requires it. But these are really just little things and the cherries on the ice cream :)

Such a contest is again a chance to develop in it and to see how one copes with feedback that is not exclusively praiseful but also offers constructive things. I personally notice from this that it is not always easy for me to receive suggestions for improvement in addition to praise and enthusiasm, but on the other hand I know exactly that they help me and it is actually a simple matter to accept it straightforwardly and when that happens, you have integrated it and can move on to the next one. How wonderful!

I have assessed you in such a way that you would not hold it against me and I am glad that you confirm such things to me. The way I deal with "criticism" shows how much or how little willingness there is to experience it as turned towards rather than away from.

I hope, I can continue with running the contest. We are just three contestants this time. If interest is low, I may do it not very often (which is okay for me) or even stop (which would be a pity but not a drama).

Have a good start in the day!

Sincerely yours.