This week we have been writing about nurturing your teenager’s gifts and talents. Dr. Debra talked about our personal best. I wrote about being positive about our own gifts. Our teenagers do not always know what their gifts and talents are. It is our job to help them find this. James Dobson once wrote about his father teaching him to play tennis and they played together all the time. At times he hated it but when he was a teenager he said it was tennis that saved him as a teen. When everything was falling apart as a teenager he could depend upon tennis going well. It was the one thing he could depend upon.
Today I see teenagers that either have too many activities or nothing but friends and video games. Our kids need activities but not so many that they do not have personal time. Also they need to be in activities. Again, I think it is about balance. When a teen knows what they are good at they can strive for their personal best.
Watch your teenager and help them decide what they are good at and allow them the space and guidance to pursue interests. As the parent we need to be careful that we do not push then into what we want them to do. I have seen teens that want to stop an activity but fear the parent will be disappointed. They should find what they are good at but also what they enjoy. This should be a fun pursuit for both of you just remember it needs to be about them not you. Have fun. Sherri
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