Motivating Teen Boys For Long Term Success In School, Relationships, And Life
Parents don’t want their teen sons to fail, experience hurt or disappointment, so they step in and do whatever they can to motivate them. But is motivating teen boys for long term success in school, relationships and life even possible? Is there an easier way beyond tension and fighting? Experts in adolescent psychology say yes!
The Problem
Too many parents want to protect their teenagers from life’s challenges, and perhaps spare them from pain and unhappiness. However, built into every challenge is a lesson to be learned, and although failure does cause pain, it can also build character. Teen boys who have “helicopter parents” who intervene at every possible conflict, micromanage their children’s home life and schoolwork, and won’t allow their sons to feel stress or frustration are doing a disservice.
Teens who grow up under such parenting styles tend to feel entitled, anxious, depressed and fail to develop socially or mentally. They often have low willpower, self-esteem and social skills. Because the teens never experience what it is like to overcome defeat, they never gain the significant growth that comes from disappointments and setbacks. While no parent wants to see their child experience failure, it can be a positive thing that builds values and strengths.
The Solution
It’s never too early for parents to ensure that their teenage sons are finding the motivation they need to be successful in school, relationships and life. Instead of parents providing the motivation, the teens need to develop it within.
Here are 5 ways that parents can help teen boys develop motivation within:
Determine the teenage boys’ goals and dreams, whether it’s to attend college, learn a trade or something else. Make sure they outline the steps it will take to accomplish it, so there is no misunderstanding about what has to happen in life for them to reach it. Sometimes, teen boys don’t really have much perspective of what it takes to get to where the