Is Your Teen Trustworthy?
In the eighties teens said, “My word is my bond.” Today, “Don’t worry. I got this.” Although these terms are used with their friends, teens should understand the importance being trustworthy with adults as well.
You indirectly teach trustworthiness with rules like curfew, but making curfew is about more than avoiding discipline. It’s how teens earn trust from parents and get the independence and privileges they so desperately crave. This trustworthiness is a great way to impress you and other adults around them and in turn you and other adults like teachers, relatives, etc. can feel more comfortable treating your teen like an adult.
Although this lesson is easily recognized in the context of parent rules, your teen may not recognize it when it comes in the form of completing a homework assignment, going to class, and showing up for something even if they changed their mind about the activity because they made the commitment. To do anything less, would damage the trust others have in your teen.
For a trusted teen, there is a ripple effect that extends to friends, teachers and others in the community. This builds a positive reputation early that can be echoed in other aspects of their lives through recommendations and positive gossip. It allows others to give your teen the benefit of the doubt in uncertain situations, or the reason to take a gamble on your teen’s ideas.
The reward for your teen being trustworthy is pride, self-esteem and self-confidence because when others believe in your teen’s capabilities, your teen will dream bigger dreams. They will set their sights higher and do more with their lives. E.E. Cummings said something like, “We are someone because someone believed in us,” but it’s easier to recruit others to believe when teens create a reputation that makes them someone people can trust to be true to their word.
Related posts:
