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October 01, 2005

The woes of adolescence

My 14 year old son recently joined the debate team at his high school. He participated in debate at the middle school level, but this high school stuff is much more involved and intense. He's doing tournaments almost every weekend. To prepare, he's been attending several practices a week after school.

Part of our evening routine is to debrief about our day's events. A couple of nights ago we had this exchange:

Me: So how did debate practice go?

Son: Not so great, Mom.

Me: Why? What happened?

Son: We were doing a CX (cross-examination style debate) and I made my opponent (a girl) cry and leave the room.

Me: You did? What did you say?

Son: I asked her some questions during the debate that she couldn't answer. She got flustered and frustrated. Then she started crying and left the room.

Me: Wow. What did the coach say?

Son: She said I ask really good questions for a novice debator.

Me: It sounds like you do ask good questions.

Son: It's going to be tough to get girls to go out with me if I make them cry during CX.

Me: That could be.

Poor kid. It already sucks to be 14. Then to kick a potential date's ass to the point where she runs crying out of the room..that's a killer.

I wonder where he ever figured out that arguing skill? LOL

Posted by Carla at October 1, 2005 01:43 PM