4 Easy Ways to Motivate Your Teen June 24, 2009
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1. Congratulations
Everyone likes to be celebrated. Doesn’t it feel good when someone recognizes you for doing something right? So, it goes without saying that if you want to motivate your teen to stay on track, then you should celebrate them whenever they take a step in the right direction. If they’ve done well or are improving in school, if they’ve been responsible with their chores, or if they’ve made a good decision without you hovering over their shoulder, then you should recognize it. Let them know how proud you are. This step alone could make a world of difference in your teen.
2. Consequences
There are consequences for every action, and your teen must know that every negative action will be met with the appropriate consequences. Discipline and structure are very important for a young person. Having structure at home teaches them that there are certain boundaries and guidelines that they must follow. Consequences will help your son or daughter to be mindful and responsible for their actions. Without them they will lack the since of direction needed to navigate into adulthood successfully. There are rules for every area of life–school, work, family, relationships, society, etc. Even games have rules, and if your teen doesn’t have the proper guidelines to direct him, then he will be a loser in the game of life.
3. Cash
Is money the root of all evil? Certainly not! Especially when it comes to your teen. There are few things that motivate teenagers (or any of us for that matter) like money or some tangible form of reward. When possible, use rewards to stimulate and reinforce good behavior in your teenager. This doesn’t have to be your primary means of motivating them, but it will probably be one of the most effective.
4. Caring
Always try to be as caring and understanding as possible when attempting to motivate your teenager. Nothing is more motivating to them than knowing that they have the love and support of their parents. Keep them first and never let your ambitions for them come before their well-being. As a parent you want the best for your children, but its easy to over do it sometimes. There is a fine line between motivating and manipulating. Have high expectations, but don’t overpressure them. We all need enough time and space to develop our potential. Try to remember how it was for you as a kid because chances are that they are very similar to what you were like at that age.
My most import piece of advice for anyone raising a teen is DON’T WORRY. If they have good loving parents–which you probably are if you bothered to read this entire article–then they‘ll turn out just fine. You are the number one influence in their lives. If you set a fine example for them, “when they grow old they will never depart from it”. (Proverbs 22:6)
The Obama Effect: What does the first black president mean to young black men? November 13, 2008
Posted by Stacey Jordan in 1.5 comments
On November 4, 2008, America made an historic and unprecedented decision to make Barack Obama the first African-American President of the United States. Rallying under the mantra “Yes We Can!”, millions of Americans cast their votes as the world watched and celebrated.
There has been an enormous level of excitement and anticipation over President-elect Obama and the change that he could bring to the halls of power in Washington D.C. Perhaps equally as exciting is the change that Obama’s presidency could mean to another group in Washington—the young black men whose lives hang in the balance on the streets of southeast D.C. each day.
Education Week reports that high school dropout rates among black males in urban areas such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore City are near fifty percent. According to a report by Fight Crimes: Invest in Kids, an organization of law enforcement leaders, many of these dropouts are responsible for the high incidences of violent crimes within their communities. This report estimates that 3,000 murders and 175,000 aggravated assaults could be prevented every year in America if the graduation rate were increased by just 10%. With so many young black men being the perpetrators and victims of these crimes, this is definitely the kind of “change we need”.
So what could the first black president do to bring about a change within this next generation of fathers, husbands, and leaders? Many of the examples that are set before young black men are less than adequate. Even those who are viewed as successes by this group are largely limited to being rappers or athletes. If an African-American boy dreams of becoming a professional basketball player he is hailed by many in his community, but if he were to make pledge of becoming president…not so much. This has remained nothing more than a pipe dream for blacks until now.
Through his achievement, Barack Obama has shattered a canopy of stereotypical fears, doubts, and prejudices of what a black man can do in America. And just as many walked through the doors of professional athletics, opened by the likes of Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson, it is possible that the next generation of black men will look at this accomplishment and say, “Yes we can!”.
What do you think the first black president will mean for young black men?
Go Naked! March 25, 2008
Posted by Stacey Jordan in Dreams.add a comment
No, I don’t mean that you should go and start taking your clothes off. I mean it’s time for you to stand up and expose yourself. It’s time to stop being afraid of what someone else might think or say and get out there to do what’s in your heart to do. Its time to live the dreams you were born to live!
Most people don’t ever try to reach for their dreams in life because they’re afraid of the criticisms that will come. And believe me, when you step out there and dare to dream, you will be criticized by someone. Maybe even someone close to you. So what though? Do it anyway. Remember that it takes more guts to actually get out there and do something you believe in than it does to stand on the sideline and criticize. Especially when you know that some folks are going to say negative things about you. Just ask yourself this question when you hear destructive criticisms from the people around you: Are they stepping up to the plate themselves? Do they even have the guts to stand before the world naked—wearing nothing but their dreams?
Sit down for five to ten minutes today and think about the things you’ve kept yourself from doing because of fear of what others might think. If you’ve been criticized by someone, consider how valuable his or her opinion is in light of their experience or expertise in the matter. If they have little experience or insight into your chosen path, then their opinions require less consideration. Using this approach will give you a better perspective on the advice they have to offer, and whether it’s worth considering or not.
In the Bible it says that in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Find and take advice from people who have gained some level of experience with where you are headed and have therefore earned the right to be heard. This kind of constructive criticism has the power to lift you to your next level of destiny.
