The past few years have been rough for a lot of people as we all figured out how to hang out safely and not spread germs. For teens and older folks, these years have been particularly hard since they’ve impacted socialization needs and friendships.
So when one mom put a call out for her “lazy” teen son to get work back in 2020, it sparked a big response from the community. It also reminded people just how much we really need one another.
A “Lazy” Son for Hire
Sharon Collins wanted her teenage son Thomas to get off the couch. For months, he had been coping with the pandemic by playing video games and watching TV whenever he had some downtime. But Collins wanted him to use that time more wisely, so she put out a call on social media.
“I made up this big story about how lazy he was, and people just started calling me,” she told a CBS News outlet in Boston. “He was eating me out of the snack cabinet, being lazy on the couch, and playing video games, so I said, what the heck, I'll try to get him something.”
She used the hashtag #campaigngetthomasoffthecouch and said he would be great at physical labor, like yard work. People immediately responded, and Thomas began raking lawns, stacking firewood, and helping tend to gardens.
Along the way, something unexpected happened.
Unexpected Company
Before long, Thomas began to notice a trend with the people who hired him to do their tasks. Sure, he was helping out. But more than that, they really enjoyed his company.
“A lot of them seem like they're enjoying more talking to me, me eating with them, than me actually doing the work. They just want the interaction,” Thomas said. “A lot of them make me lunch and tell me a lot of stories. It makes me really happy; like I'm helping people out.”
One woman was so happy to have Thomas around that she wrote his mom a letter.
“She wrote what a fantastic young man he is and that he reminds her of her grandson, and she can't see her family, and it's much harder these days to even see anyone,” Collins recounted.
“She said, in not so many words, that she liked his company and she wished she could pay him every week so he could come and talk to her.”
Finding a New Purpose
These jobs were also beneficial for Thomas. He found a sense of purpose, got out of the house, did something physical, and got paid for it. It was an all-around win that helped him to develop his true potential.
"He's gone out, and he's proven to me that he's kind and empathetic, and you don't always see that in a teenage boy that's 16 years old,” Collins wrapped.
“I am proud of him because I don't think I taught him that, but somehow, he knows how to do it. I can't take any credit for this. He just came the way he is, and he's certainly not an angel, please God, but he's shown his true colors, and I hope he'll always be his true colors.”
The Importance of Social Interaction
This story continues to resonate long after 2020 because, as people, we’re social creatures, and we need interaction in our lives. These days more of us work from home than ever, and it’s important that we schedule real face time (and not the app) into our lives.
According to the CDC, social connection can do more than lift our spirits. It can help prevent serious illnesses, improve mental health, and help to recover from stress or anxiety.
If you’ve been feeling low or it’s been hard to get out of the house, find something to give you purpose. Grab a neighbor and go for a walk. Volunteer for a local sports team or retirement center. Or find a workspace outside the home that you can frequent a couple of times a week just to get out there. You’ll be glad you did.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.