Trick Or Treat: Teens and Safety

We will take the “treats” please!  Our favorite candy this time of year?  Popcorn balls and Butterfingers.  We know you have a favorite, too.  

Right about now, all our teens are doing the same thing we did at their age - strategizing for a fun gameplan on Oct. 31^st. 

We thought long and hard about this week’s blog because we normally talk about helping other parents make the last season with their nearly-flown kids a roaring success. From preparing in high school for “life after English Class” to teen taxes, we’ve been there.  But Halloween safety and life-time payoff teaching moments?  Yes!

In point of fact, any safety guidelines we discuss here actually work no matter what the time of year or the event.  After football games, after class parties and after a group party at their best bud’s house all qualify.  Did we mention college?  Hmmm.

Also, every...

The above conversation is happening everywhere.  

But generally, what conversation is NOT happening? 

One week later the smart mom asks . . .  

 So what do...

Budget.  That’s right . . . budget.    Things have changed. 

Have you used that word 6-letter word “budget” lately?  Go ahead and be honest with yourself.  You probably have.  But let me make a case on why you need to stop.   Times have changed.   Consider the following:

"Budgets" are Constricting

“Mom, I need $20.”   (funny how it used to be they only asked for $10!) 

“Honey, I just gave you $20 like…yesterday.  Can’t you budget your money?”

And there it is.  That word, that horrible sinking feeling word. The implied connotation to our kids and our “almost growns” is . . .  you can’t buy the things you want, you will never have enough money, and you are a one emoji away from busted.  Life is one trick multiple question with “none of the above” always included. 

Need stats to support this? 

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SUMMARY

HELP!  Many a parent of a nearly-grown child feels there is still so much more to teach them, but need a creative idea on how to tackle it all.  

We've been there with our kids.  Despite our passion for helping parents and kids this age, we hit the wall (so to speak) on  how to get their attention to listen to those last critical lessons.  They didn't always want to listen to us.  

That's when we realized that we, or more specifically our kids, had/have a SECRET WEAPON to use.  Your kids (and you) have it too but odds are you haven't recognized it for what it is.  

But before we get to this SECRET WEAPON, if you didn't get a chance to view/read a prior session we taught that relates to this where we covered how to build confidence in our kids, and why our kids have such a challenge with this at their age, and what is the first move you can make to start that confidence ball rolling, Start with THIS to build confidence

Now about that...

Here's how to organize those applications.  

If you are a high school junior or senior – or have one living in your home, you've probably spent large amounts of time working on college applications. It is definitely a “labor” of love because many high schoolers apply to seven or more colleges these days. College counselors have been haranguing your juniors all last year to get those applications in as soon as possible. The mantra is that the earlier it is submitted, the better chance for acceptance. The process can be overwhelming, since each...