I have a teenager for a son. Wow!
When did that happen? Well, it happened over the last 13 years obviously, but it sure doesn't seem like 13 years. My life has undergone some big changes in the last 13 years. A divorce, another relationship that failed, moving into a new home, among others. But when I think of the changes I have been through compared to my son, it seems like nothing.
He started out as a tiny little baby. Helpless. Unable to survive without the help of his parents. Unable to walk or talk. Now, he still needs help obviously, but he can walk and talk, he can feed himself, he can make his own food, and is growing up into a man slowly but surely.
I am trying to guide him in the best way that I can. I am teaching him to be polite and respectful to everyone, but moreover, I am trying to teach him to not make the same mistakes that I have made. I am teaching him about the endless opportunities that are out there for him, and that there are opportunities that he will have that I cannot even fathom right now.
In the new year, I am going to suggest to him that we start an online business together. Nothing big, maybe just a small online store or something. I want to teach him how to build a website, how to use the various marketing channels that are available, and how to manage his money. In my mind, these skills are essential for a young person to learn, and learn them now.
I am also going to teach him about cryptocurrency and how it is changing the world. My own knowledge is limited, but the good thing is that it will force me to learn more about it so that I can teach him properly. I want to teach him that the traditional model of graduate high school/go to college/get a job is not necessarily the best path to go down, especially today when colleges and universities are going down such a terrible path.
It's exciting to see the potential in my son and all of the opportunity in front of him. The fear-mongers that proclaim that the world is going to hell and that it's not a place to raise children are dead wrong. We live in a time of unequaled prosperity and potential. Yes, there are problems with the world, but there always have been. There has always been greed, there has always been evil, but the good among us will always more than balance that out.
I want my son to know that he can take a less than traditional path to success. I want him to know that he is young, he is smart, and he can grab the world by the balls if he just works hard and works smart.
Happy birthday, son. Go get em!