ROMANCING TEENAGERS

This is not a left over valentine blog.  For some reason I have been thinking about romancing responsible behavior in teenagers.  I do not believe that any parent would say they did not want their child to grow up to be responsible.  However, we do not always understand how to accomplish this.  Too often we feel that if we control all aspects of their lives they will learn responsibility.  Not true.  I think instead it is more of a shaping process; why I call this romancing responsible behavior.  I think I will blog about this for a few sessions  There are various techniques inherent here.  As always modeling the behavior we hope to see is the first thing.  After that the romancing part comes into play.  We need to guide them into independent decision making.  We need to encourage positive behaviors or steps.  We also need to express confidence in them and in their choices often.  I think for the next few blogs I will talk about these and other tips for romancing responsible behavior.  I hope you will check in and comment.  Sherri