You know the parent-drill.  You explain something to your almost-grown child in what you think is a calm and rational manner and might you get back?  A burst of emotion.  What is going on?

We bet you occasionally have an unrecognizable young adult running around calling you Mom and/or Dad.  Right?

Today, we cover where that emotion just might really be coming from and how you can help your "mini-you" grow into a more rational and balanced human being.  Scientists (many) cite what is going on and yes, it brings us good news on this front!

Today's podcast explains this phenomenon and we give you 5 strategies to use this in your parenting skills.

SCIENCE REVEALS

[1:19] Myth busted.  Full disclosure, this one surprised me.

[2:39] What DO young adult brains have?

[3:57] Their brain vs. our brain.  (hint:  they are not the same)

FIVE GREAT PARENT STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER: 

[5:09] First: The expectation bar. Our kids still need to know what is...

With graduation day JUST around the corner, you ask yourself this question all the time-

Is my "almost grown child" ready for life after me? They CAN be more ready than you think.

Here are 3 habit/educational moves they need to learn now - while in HS for success after the big "cross the stage for that diploma" moment.  

By the end of this podcast (link near top) you will be able to tuck these 3 solid success habits into their every day life. BONUS: at the end you will learn an easy method to avoid the graduation day panic of "what haven't I taught them"!

Podcast Episode Summary:

[3:08] "Talking Tall vs. Talking Small"
            - teach them to handle conflict
[7:25] "Sublime Time"
           - control and minimize their environment
[12:40] "Two Million Dollars"
           - the buck stops here
[16:04] Make a List and Check it Twice - the Practical Way"
     ...

Does your teen need help in communicating with others - especially when a potential conflict is involved? 

Of course.   In fact, most of us can say the same thing.  

Then today's episode will be just for you.  When you finish, you will have an easy technique to show your teen about how to handle potential communication challenges.  It's usable, workable, and can be put into action quickly.

I know that all of us are working through how to handle quarantine.  This morning I walked to the park near me.  As I was leaving I heard a lady shouting.  She was standing by her car along with her dog.  What was she yelling at?  It wasn't a "what", it was a "who".  A second car drove up, parked a safe distance away, and 3 cute little kid's heads shot up thru the sun roof.  Turns out, the lady with the dog was shouting excited greetings to her daughter and 3 grandkids. It was so sweet.  I waived to the grandmother and...

First:  Full transparency here.  After you ask this question, you might not like the answer, but then again, you might love it.  After asking you will learn so much that you will be glad you asked.

Second: You can modify this question to cover an unlimited supply of topics.  You can re-purpose it at nearly any time you’d like.

Third: Few parents have probably ever asked this type of question before.  It’s rather simple in concept.

Fourth: Our teens (though this question can work at any age) are already “conditioned” to respond.

The question? 

“Honey, what grade would you give me on ___________?”

Our teens receive/earn grades every week day, and probably several times per day. They understand the concept of grades. They probably don’t like getting them, but it shows them where they are with respect their mastery of the topic involved.

Wouldn’t we parents like to know how we are doing on a...

• What to do
• What to say
• A Bonus payoff when your "nearly flown" uses it.

Have a great week, and enjoy those parent moments as you encounter them.  Remember, they'll need to last we parents a lifetime!

You CAN Have Success in the Middle of it ALL.

“Playing well with others.” Didn’t you detest seeing that question on your report card? 

How did your young adult score on that as a child?  We can hear parents all across the fruited plain shouting their answers!  The “get along” challenge answers sound like this:

“Kicked to the Dorm Hallway Curb”

Did we ever tell you about this awesome freshman college co-ed that was basically “kicked out” of her dorm room because her roommate wanted her “significant other” to practically move in?

True story.  Frustrating 1^stcollege year.

 

“I No Longer Talk to my Best Friend”

Best friends since 1^stgrade began not speaking in High School. Why?

As we’ve taught high school students on a myriad of “life” topics, it gradually dawned on us that no one had taken the time to teach them how to approach conflict. 

Teens have and will experience conflict everywhere, from...

Why as parents are we afraid of those 4 words? 

But in reality, they are among the most 4 POWERFUL words when strung together. 

In truth, being as honest as we can be with our kids on typical “growing up mistakes” we’ve made can catch their attention.

And isn’t catching our teen’s attention half the battle?

Do any of these scenarios ring a bell?

• “I cut class”.
• “I didn’t prepare enough when going out for the . . . . team.”
• “I didn’t save my money as I should have for . . . . “  (here's an article on how to make their saved money grow, no matter how small the amount:  How Teens Can Grow Their Money
• “I didn’t study for my . . . . finals.”
• “I talked behind my best friend’s back.”
• “I went to . . . . and I knew I shouldn’t...

The BOX

Think back for a minute. 

Way back.

Way back to your High School Days.

With our adult-glasses it is so much easier to see that BOX, the BOX we mentally built for ourselves. “I’m shy”.  I’m not athletic.  I talk too much.   I’m not smart.” 

Ok, stay in the past a bit longer.

Not only did we build our mental BOX, others in our grade helped build our box, too.  “Don’t put her on the team, she’s awful.  Oh, man, not him.  He dresses weird.” 

That ridiculous BOX, that suffocating BOX still haunts, doesn’t it?  We bought into it.  

Now return to the present and your nearly grown child

Apply those same feelings we just discussed to your nearly-grown child. 

Their BOX, their mental BOX is just as teflon as ours and also has a little social media sprinkled on top.  You have one emotional powder keg on your hands.  

There is so much we...

Recognizing Skills

• Teens everywhere don’t recognize the talents they are learning in the seemingly “every day” part of their life. They sell themselves short constantly. 
• Each time your child completes a project, help them identify skills they’ve used beyond the obvious.
• From...

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