There are many “beginnings” in our lives. Fresh starts can be capitalized with planning and hope. Becoming intentional about the future helps create that reality. Support your teen in starting this year with a bang!
Components of a new beginnings chat? How about taking a little quiet time with him? Nudge him for a walk, a stop at a favorite burger joint, a pause on the Nintendo game…! How about brainstorming last year’s highlights? Interject patterns that have evolved over years, if last year’s “snapshot” doesn’t represent your teen’s big picture: “You have always been very creative. Remember the iMovie you created in fourth grade? Everyone was impressed. You continue to express yourself in out-of-the-box ways….” We are family historians. Teens often have hazy memories and a vague sense of the future. We can frame their future in terms of their past and present.
After highlights, look at hopes for this year. Succeeding in an honors class? Surfing the social scene with ease and confidence? List a few as goals. Writing them down as present tense “I” statements helps them pack a punch and our minds focus on success:
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• “I use my planner; I am organized with work completed and turned in on time.”
• “I confidently greet a new friend each day.”
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You teen can print out the I-statements with colors, images, fun fonts, etc. Then post these affirmations where she can remind herself her vision of this best-ever school year. As parents, we can then weave these goals into future conversations, provide refocusing, and celebrate victories with our teen.
New beginnings…one of the wonderful parts of the start of a school year! Bring on the freshly sharpened pencils, fun new school clothes, and powerful affirmations claiming this year as the best ever for your teen!!