$190 million is missing. Can you relate?

Have you heard? 

When I heard this story, my immediate thoughts were “you have got to be kidding”.  How could this happen?  

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. 

This happens ALL THE TIME and it happens especially to our teens.

Hang in there with me for a minute. 

Our teens have so much talent, knowledge, and skills just waiting to be explored and developed but they often are never developed.  Is this worth $190 million?  Absolutely. Any time we as parents can give our kids the keys to build on all their unique talents it’s not only worth $190 mil, it’s worth more.  It’s beyond price.

How can we help our teens develop all their gifts and talents?

Here are 3 clear steps we parents can take:

Step 1:  What skill does your teen need to build upon. 

• Make a list and be specific.

Step 2:  Pick one.

• Is it a teaching topic that you as a parent can handle?
  • Then set a goal for this month to get that knowledge going.
  • Look around for ways to teach them this topic. Is there a task that you can take them with you on that will teach them this concept?  Perhaps it is the skill of negotiation.  What do you need to negotiate for this month?  A car, a time schedule, or some other something? Then include your teen in this process.
• Is it a topic that you need help with in teaching your teen?
  • Note, we are not talking about needing a psychologist or something that requires true professional help. We ARE talking about typical, yet amazing skills your teen needs to learn.
  • You and your teen have talented people around you that you can draw upon for this skill. So many people in our sphere love to help teens and have a passion for others.  Reach out to them.  Be specific and of course, don’t expect them to raise your child.  That’s your job.  But often our kids will listen to others when they don’t listen to we parents. Be sure, of course, to assure yourself that this person is safe for your child to talk to.  Do your safety and philosophy compatibility homework. 

Step 3:  Accountability

• Make an appointment with yourself and your teen to review how things went at the end of the month. 
• Remember, you are modeling accountability to your teen.

GO PROACTIVE

Don’t leave your child’s potential all bottled up with doors unopened.  Your teen can often be so tied up with school, sports and all those extra-curricular activities that they leave those longer-term amazing skills unopened.   It's an easy time-trap to fall into.  

This is the perfect time and age to do this!  We contend that if parents just knew where their teen was developmentally, they'd get a better night's sleep.  We've hit going proactive straight on, but if you'd like to get a good night's sleep with a better understanding about where your teen is developmentally, then head here: Work In Progress

This is the perfect time and age to do this!

This season with your teen will fly by.  What else will fly by?  The age in which many adults are glad to reach out and help occurs during this season of our teen’s lives.  You already know that graduation is just around the corner.  Grab hold of this season.  Don’t over think this.  Just pick topic, set that short-term goal to get this skill up and running in your teen . . . and go! 

Oh, and in case you missed the news story about that $190 million, here’s the link:     $190 million is missing!

Have a great week.   And as we say ...

You CAN Have Success in the Middle of it ALL !