Comments on: A Social Media (and Life) Lesson I Learned From My 12-Year-Old

By: Zach

Zach — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:02:59 +0000

Very deep. I enjoyed the thought provoked through reading this.

By: Rich Crockett

Rich Crockett — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:50:00 +0000

I really enjoyed this and will ponder it throughout the day. Thanks man!

By: Gurukarm (@karma_musings)

Gurukarm (@karma_musings) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:04:43 +0000

Reminds me of a favorite saying: “You might as well be yourself; everyone else is taken.”

Sounds like Noah’s got it down in spades! Hope his birthday was great.

By: Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:59:15 +0000

Thanks for sharing this poignant experience and this wisdom from your son. Young people so often hit the nail on the head. We are wise to learn from them.

When we are new to the blogosphere we do indeed tend to try to understand the lay of the land and in so doing, try to fit in. How much more wonderful it is to be yourself! No rehearsal or costume needed.

It warms my heart to learn of the wonderful family you’ve created where your son has indeed evolved into awesome.

By: Catherine Azzarello

Catherine Azzarello — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:40:46 +0000

Happy Birthday, Noah!

You’re awesome. And you’ve got awesome parents! (But you already knew that.

By: Diana Adams

Diana Adams — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:37:42 +0000

Okay, am I a dork? I cried when I read this post. For real. It hits home for me since I have a 9 year old son. Brian, you are such an inspiration. I respect you even more now, which I didn’t think was possible. Rock on.

By: Saje Williams

Saje Williams — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:30:16 +0000

My oldest son seems to have absorbed some of this from his mother… a disdain for “fitting in.” I affected it to a great extent but only recently truly felt it for real. My youngest is the social animal, and is willing to handicap himself for the approval of others. I’m assuming his mother does her best to dissuade him from this course of action, though I can only assume since we live several hundred miles apart.

By: Elena

Elena — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:16:48 +0000

What an eloquent and thoughtful post. While the effect of social media is powerful, there are time its analyzing can be overdone. Sometimes the simple answers are the most effective. I think this post illustrates that. Great job on that and I hope Noah had a great birthday celebration.

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:00:56 +0000

Dang, Brian, ouch! You have so hit the nail on this head, meaning mine of course! I grew up having absolutely no say in anything related to fashion or fitting in. I felt trapped in a persona that had been created/dictated for me, and it is only in the last 2-3 years that I really feel I am beginning to be who I am…Me, reflected on both the inside and outside. You and your lovely wife are a testimony to how to raise self confident, expressive children, each so uniquely different. Thank you for sharing this story, as it has relevence for us all, no matter our walk in life…

PS And Noah IS pretty awesome!