My boys are doing more than their peers who are playing video games and talking Call of Duty. My kids? They live it. At 13 my youngest has a SCUBA License and has dived up to 90 feet. The Non Profit organization he belongs to is contracted by other organizations to perform diving operations for them. This summer he has learned and executed underwater construction techniques and built amazing shit underwater. He has also mapped and explored ship wrecks for the local government to turn into tourist spots. This is at 13.

My oldest at 16 just got his pilot’s license through Civil Air Patrol with 120 flight hours. He is search and rescue qualified and has helped the FAA several times. Spending his summers on Air Force bases and training he has 200 hours or more on Air Force jet simulators. Most recently he had to land a plane on a solo flight when its instruments went out.

He is also attending a local Community college that created a high school program. He will leave in 2 years (3 total started when he was 15) with a High School diploma and a paramedic license. Oh did I mention no college tuition? Paid for by the public schools. His intent is to join the military but I have taught him to cultivate many options. He has listened.

These kids at their ages have experiences and training no one else in their group has. They have heard some of my stories and I push them to develop theirs. What are doing to make yourself more interesting and a cut above? What are you doing?