Off On A Tangent

Can't you stop what you are doing and pay attention for one minute?
Imagine telling a teenager who was attempting to fulfill an important goal, the following:

- You should be further along than you are.
- You'll never get it right.
- Lower your expectations.
- What makes you think *you* can do that?
- If everyone else can accomplish this goal why can't you?
- It's too late, you'll only screw things up.
- You might as well give up.
- I told you so.

How many times have I told you not to talk to teenagers like that!