[usually,
I try to suggest parenting strategies toward teens – this one is a family
strategy]
We hear
that people are becoming more and more stressed – as they are ‘locked in’ at
home.
I have
been in the business and success coaching field for a L-O-N-G time [I’m now
adapted to success coaching for teens] – and I can tell you ABSOLUTELY that the
best ‘immediate’ strategy I know: when ANYONE is feeling overwhelmed à MAKE a LIST!! Then,
with the top priorities, MAKE a PLAN.
Even if
the plan isn’t finished, the fact that you have one gives you an almost instant
feeling of having re-established CONTROL.
That list could be anything – even complaints and negatives! Getting them down on paper provides an instantly
clearer idea of the issues – which almost always turn out to be far fewer than
you thought – and allow you to begin to work through them easily and quickly. If you think this only applies to business,
you are absolutely wrong. It works FOR
LIFE. And if you’re here for teenagers –
works perfectly for them, TOO!
Questions
you might ask, Lists you might start – yourself or your family: [probably
choose just ONE]
- · List everything I’m doing that annoys you
- · [then, I will] list everything YOU do that annoys me
- · List all the reasons curfews don’t work
- · List all the reasons your hounding me about studying or grades or school doesn’t work
- · List all the reasons I shouldn’t have to help clean the house
- · [then] – all the reasons I SHOULD help clean the house
- · List all the reasons that what you do annoys me no end!!!
- · List all the THINGS I WANT [you – each family member]
THE
NEXT STEP is to begin creating a plan to address each issue. AT THE SAME TIME, just deciding (a) which one(s)
to work on, and (b) who will decide what steps or actions we’ll follow – will be
interesting!
BE
SURE to go into this with a sense of humor and willingness to adapt and LAUGH
and CHANGE!!
