Just When You Think You've Made It - Wham!

Teenagers tend to go through a period of stupid. If that sounds too harsh for you, we'll say they go through a period of doing stupid things instead. I can't speak for teen girls - my only experience is with boys, but boys seem to do stupid twice.

You make it through one stage of stupid and then life settles. You tell yourself "Whew, we made it", then wham they hit you with another round of stupid. Number two has been a little bit easier on me. His brand of stupid is like hitting a speed bump while going a little bit too fast. Number one's stupid was more like running over a parking curb and then wiping out a couple of parked cars.

First round for Number 2, was relatively minor. He was home from school one day and started messing around with some paper and a lighter. When I arrived home unexpectedly he shoved the burning paper out of the window and slammed the window shut, while the screen held his flaming torch securely in place.

Me: What's that smell?

Number 2: I don't smell anything.

Me: I smell smoke. What the hell is burning?

On investigation I discovered exactly what was burning - one of my brand new vinyl windows. The window that was right next to his bed. It was the closest I've ever come to having a fire in my home and I hope I never get any closer. Of course the window was ruined. I decided that putting it through my homeowner's policy probably wouldn't be such a good idea. Better to pony up the cash and then make him pay me back from his summer earnings.

Then nothing. No stupid stunts. No broken bones. Nothing. I was totally getting ready to say "Whew, we made it!", and then wham.

Number 2: Mom, look at this! It's so cool.

Motherfucking internet, Number 2 decided to try the salt and ice challenge. If you're unfamiliar with this challenge, it's pretty much like what it sounds. They put a layer of salt on their skin and then hold an ice cube to it. Kids see this on You Tube and then they want to try it.

So you remember that salt water has a lower freezing point right? Which means salt and ice is colder than just ice. These stupid kids are risking frost bite on a dare. Or even in the case of Number 2 on a whim.

Some kids are actually going to the point of severe burns and scarring. Thankfully Number 2 wasn't quite that dumb.

The real kick in the pants though? I knew of the challenge and stupidly never once talked about it and how foolish I thought it was. So seriously, if you've got a pre-teen, a tween, or a teen research the salt and ice challenge, and then talk about it.

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