Teenage Years, A Pivot Point

What do we do with these teenagers? I think there is much that can be learned from our own experience growing up.

 

What have we been telling our children by how we act? Do we foster positive communication? Do we demand or make expectations that overwhelm a minor’s ability to deal with the world around them. Are we too permissive? Do we promote an environment in our children’s lives that give them a sense of entitlement? That something is owed to them?

 

It is time to make the decision to be better teachers, leaders, parents, and counselors to help the rising generation become more successful, responsible members of neighborhoods, communities, nations and the world. It may surprise you but your child is looking to you for guidance. He or she is looking and searching for the answers that you need to provide. They are scrambling and frequently end up filling in the blanks themselves. They have questions that you do not want to have answered by the world. You want to answer those questions and concerns based upon your personal values and understanding from personal experience.

 

I work in a local middle school working with teen’s everyday. I find that their world is a complete whirlwind of information, distraction and change. Yes, distraction because there are influences today pulling them directions never seen in the history of the world. Peer pressure is stronger than ever to do the “popular” thing. There are standards of grooming, living, morality, modesty that are being attacked. I see attitudes of respect shot to pieces. It appears more than ever positive demeanor, self-respect, integrity, and personal responsibility are under specific assault.

 

I remember a meeting with a parent early in the school year who stated that because a friend betrayed his son, (by telling the truth) it was a betrayal. I told this parent that if he felt someone’s choice to exercise integrity was a betrayal then there was nothing I had to say to him. This is the world we live in.Parents are stressed today and the effects are projected to their children, with everyone else to blame and always an excuse few seem to be exercising personal responsibility. By the way the parents of this teen removed this child from our school because of me.

What do we do? This question has been asked many times and if we do not look at it responsibly it could result in continuing to let it go until everything is out of control.

It is important to begin by making a decision right now to be responsible for yourself and your family. It is time to do the right thing for our families and our children and our future. 

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