Are you Killing Your Teen’s Dream?
Your teen just found out they are probably not going to be tall enough for their favorite sport. Volleyball as they know it, is out. You walk into the clinic room to find them tearful. After discovering what happened, you say…
“Well, I guess its nursing school for you now.”
OR
“Maybe you should try and redefine the sport. Focus on how you can do your sport despite the challenges that you think you have been given. If you really want to do it, you’ll find a way.”
So this is easy. The second answer is way better than the first even though the first may be more of a reality check.
As a teen parent, you have so much say in your teen’s self esteem and measurement of their self worth. How you treat them is how they learn to treat and value themselves. So if you give them messages about what they can’t do they will eventually share this doubt with you and think less of themselves and their ability.
No one knows if your teen is going to be the person to excel beyond belief. You can think they might not accomplish the goal, but who are you to say for certain? So spend the energy encouraging them. It doesn’t cost you anymore and actually it may get them to believe in themselves so much that they reach higher than the previously stated goal. They achieve the unthinkable.
Remember, Michael Jordan’s family didn’t think he was the most athletically inclined of the group. They weren’t to encouraging about him going out for basketball. Imagine that!
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2 Responses Leave a comment
This is sound advice – it’s all about helping teenagers find out what their own personal goals may be and keeping their self belief and self esteem nurtured, watered and encouraged to bloom.
Being positive is a mindset and a choice ! So as one of the most important role models for your teen make sure you are positive, confident and relaxed first
Sue Atkins
Author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies”
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