Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.   GOT.   EASIER.  

 #96:  Fear. We don't want our teens to have it.  How do they likely create fear in a goal or task AND how can they conquer it?  

Let's face it.  At one time or another, we've all created fear when tackling new things, new goals, and new frontiers in our lives.

You've probably seen your child literally put on the brakes when faced with something you know they are capable of doing or at least successfully for it. 

In this short but important podcast:

• Why does this fear happen?  You just might be surprised at what a study shows on this question.   
• What tool can you give them to reduce certain fears, experience positive outcomes and keep moving forward?  Hint:  it's not what you see.  

This technique is something I use to this day.  You've got a short season left while you can...

#90:  Yes, Your Teen Can Build More Self-Confidence

Your teen needs to have one big self-confidence myth busted. 

Plus, they can start increasing their self-confidence tonight. 

Here are 2 methods they can put into play tonight. 

Does your teen have enough self-confidence to tackle new projects, believe in their abilities, and even challenge themselves with goals?  

What an important foundational skill - - self-confidence.  

Did you know that there are actual methods that can help increase the crucial skill of self-confidence?

 

It's a common misconception that you just gain self-confidence as you go thru life experiencing and reacting to situations.  Well, of course, that's true.  But who wouldn't want to work on increasing or building confidence right now?  

If you...

What skill would help your child the most in the next 12 months?  

We teach our teens how to drive a car, how to wash clothes, how to handle high school, and so much more, right? 

But often we overlook teaching how to tackle new things. 

Which skills will they need next yr, 5 years from now or 20 years from now?  Who knows.  We can predict a few skills, but what about the ones we can't predict?

What can we teach now that can apply to their known and their unknown skill needs?

What CAN we teach them?  Answer:  an approach, a system, a method in which to view mastering new skills or even improve old ones.  

• learn a 5-step framework to skill learning or improvement
• ...

 Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.  GOT.   EASIER.   

 What does your child do when a new opportunity or challenge occurs?

• avoids it
• takes 3x longer to tackle it
• feels inadequate
• doesn't know where to start?

Odds are high you picked at least one of the above.

None of those responses are surprising.  Your "nearly grown" child still has some growing to do on the "rational/language" side of the equation while their "emotional" growth is practically complete.  

But, of course, tackling new things?   You and I know it is an absolute must in their becoming the very best they can be.    Of course, learning how to do this sooner rather than later?  It helps them get where they are heading faster and wiser.

How can you teach them to look at those opportunities and challenges?

AND

How can they master the steps to keep moving forward and avoiding the fear,...

The upcoming test . . . 

Grades . . . friends . . . 

TV . . .  Social Media . . . . Quarantine . . . 

YIKES.  Where can we buy them a  "Super Teen Cape"?

OVERWHELM can lead to procrastination, stress, misguided decisions and so much more.  

In this podcast episode, learn 3 techniques that are here to the rescue. 

They aren't a "superman cape", but they are close.  In fact, these 3 things will serve them well as they navigate that last season with you AND turn into pure gold as they navigate life without you.

[2:46] Point 1:  Patterns and Structure - Help them create THEIR structure using this simple step.  It will automatically elevate the power of "NO" and the power of "I'll think about that tomorrow!"

[6:22] Point 2:  Cue the Habits & Small Successes - Teach your kids this "science experiment" and watch them take advantage of habits.  Yes, they can train their brain to experience success.

[11:34] Point 3:...

Does achieving “big things” seem daunting? Admit it, our “little small voice” can often be heard shouting “Who do you think you are? That’s way too big a dream for you!”

Imagine being a young adult and being told to dream big dreams. Great advice, but it often puts the cart before the horse. Surviving ACT/SAT, college applications, internships, a first job, or high school graduation can easily fall in the “fear” category, and the “huge” category to most. Huge & Fear quickly translate into a perception of “hard”.

“Missed Kicks Makes Brain See Smaller Goal Posts”

Hadley Leggett thru the Wired website writes of a fascinating study on perception vs. accomplishment:

“In a study of 23 non-football athletes who each kicked 10 field goals, researchers found that players’ performance directly affected their perception of the size of the goal: After a series of missed kicks, athletes...