“I’m dropping out of school and I want to be a Rockstar!”
Many parents / caregivers have faced moments of despair about their teenager’s education and career. This is understandable, as the questions of education and career are big ones, especially given the way the world is changing. Adolescence is a time when teenagers are only beginning to think about their long-term futures. They’re trying to work out who they are at the most basic of levels, and now they make decisions about learning and career that could potentially influence their whole lives.
Value Your Children For Their Unique Abilities:
We all have our own unique skills and abilities. The best way to encourage teenagers to learn is to find out what they are passionate about and help them pursue that passion. Setting unrealistic goals from your children can result in repeated failures. Teenagers need to know they can achieve things they set their heart and minds to. They also need to know that you are proud of them, for anything they can learn and sometimes even for the fact that they tried to learn something.Meet with the school:
Parents and teachers can often be at odds with each other because of incorrect perceptions. Get to know your children’s teachers and go in with an open mind. Important discussion could include; your teenager’s academic ability in particular, his or strengths and weaknesses, the teacher’s impression of your teenager’s belief in her or himself, information about your teenager’s peer group, social skills and the amount of effort your child is making at school, when there’s a problem, talk about it with relevant teachers.Helping your teenager choose courses:
Teenagers are faced with all kinds of choices about what to learn, and they’re expected to make these decisions at a much younger age than in the past. It’s important that your teen is well supported to make an informed decision about his/her choices of subjects in high school, associated options in tertiary education or training pathways and to learn about the “world of work” and related occupations she/he will be eligible for. Useful tips include; find out what they are interested in and what they are good at, help them to be realistic about their abilities, help them think about where their choices might lead them and visit a career counselor for additional support.It’s Never too late!:
The choices teenagers make are important, but not forever binding. Let your teenager kknow this, whilst encouraging them to think carefully and choose wisely.Vocation:
Choosing a job career path can be extremely exciting time for young people. However, your teenager may choose to discover that choosing a career can be fraught from many obstacles. Some tips include:
Don’t try and make them live your dream
Encourage them to talk to lots of people, especially those I jobs that they are interested in
Help them to access resources such as the library, inter and careers counselor
Support your teenager to apply for jobs and to deal positively with rejections
Remember that it’s never too late - what really matters is that your children are happy; satisfied with their decision, and that you have a strong relationship with them.
The experience of success creates a strong sense of self-confidence and that more than anything else is what young people need to get by in this world today.