When Grownups Don’t Notice You

Did you ever pick flowers for your parents or other grownups when you were little?  Or do you remember doing something else that seems silly and small now, but back then it put the biggest smile on their face?  

Maybe as a teen you feel like no matter what you do now it’s never right.  Whether it’s your grades, your attitude or your clothes, grownups always have something to complain about.  Maybe you wish you could go back to the days when it was easy to make them smile.  

Little gestures of thoughtfulness are called bids.  Bidding is an invitation to connect, to enjoy each other, and to experience the world together.  

A lot of adults don’t know that. 

A lot of teens bid in ways that are different than what they did when they were kids.  Maybe now you punch your dad’s shoulder, or try to show your grownup your favorite song even though you know they’ll hate the lyrics.  Maybe you yell at them when you really want a hug.  Or you do something kind, and they don’t even notice. 

Sometimes grownups forget to watch for bids. We get busy.  We get stressed.  We get cranky.  

The next time you bid, if your grownup doesn’t notice, say, “That was a bid!”   

Tell them Harriet said to pay attention to their teens bids.  Tell them you miss when you were little and bidding was as easy as bringing them a flower.  

Maybe it can still be that easy.  Try it out and see!