Choices and Consequences

As I was walking this week, (this is my once a day love myself routine).  I was mentally going through some work I am about to start doing with young people in the 14-16 age group who are in year ten and wondered what if would be like to be growing up in the last 15 or so years. How different would it was to when I was growing up, some errrr lots of years ago.  These kids in year 10 have to start making choices that could affect the rest of their lives.

What do I want to do with the rest of my life? As I pondered this I realised they are only just past being a kid with not a care in the world. No responsibilities except maybe chores at home. But really just living not thinking about tomorrow or what may come. They are barely old enough to get a part-time job.

Suddenly, they come into year 10 and are asked within the first few weeks of the year what sort of work experience do you want to do? I can imagine myself saying to myself sheesh let me just work out what I am doing at the weekend.  Now you want me to make decisions on work experience. Work experience being the sort of work I may want to do in the future.Then at the end of year 10 suddenly they need to be picking subjects to see whether they want to go into an apprenticeship or go to university or get a full time job.

How often as parents do we empathise with our kids suddenly needing to make huge decisions about their future at such a young age.  How often do we think about sitting down with them and helping them to decide what would they love to do. NOT What we would love them to do. After all it will be their life their living not ours.

How did we feel when adults had too much to say about what they thought was good for us?
How did we react?

Take some time out with your kids and ask them how it feels to be their age?  What are the difficulties?
What could be different for them? Offer them your support without taking over.

Serve any teenagers you know this week. Let them know they are believed in and supported.