How to Effectively Communicate with Generation Z
As we begin a new school year, I have a challenge for you. Over the summer, your kids had lots more “say” in what they did and how they engaged in their days. Few sat in a classroom; more of them chose how they approached each of their activities—be it a video game, summer camp, games in the neighborhood or
Six Ways to Separate Your Kids from Their Phones
Do you remember what life was like before we had smartphones? How about life before cell phones? I do. And while I love my iPhone today, sometimes I miss the days when we weren’t tethered to our portable devices. The New York Times recently ran an article that caught my eye: “Now Some Families Are Hiring Coaches to Help Them Raise Phone
Five Errors Parents Must Correct to Prepare Generation Z for a Career
A friend of mine sent me a Twitter thread that vividly illustrates the need for better leadership in our homes. I will keep the people involved anonymous, as the story you’re about to read borders on unbelievable. It happened recently at a workplace and involved a supervisor and her young team member. The Twitter feed was from a woman in
The Danger of Single Sport Athletes
Parents have made another shift in a single generation. While parents raising Millennials became famous for giving trophies or ribbons to their children just for participating, parents of Generation Z (often Millennial parents) have pushed their kids to the other extreme, driving them to compete at a high level from early ages. In fact, parents take youth sports so seriously, it
Leading Adolescents Through the Paradox of Their Teenage Years
Teenagers experience a strange paradox. During adolescence kids feel two chemical tugs on their heart that can seem contradictory. On the one hand, they feel pulled toward independence and autonomy as their brains are being pruned and they seek to find their unique place in society. It’s during this period of life their neuropathways are being laid that may cause them
The Secret Behind a Best-Selling Author’s Success
In 1973, you would have never guessed that Stephen King would one day be a best-selling author. I say this because of: Where he lived. How he thought. What he did for work. How much money he made. And the kind of stuff he wrote at the time. That year, Stephen King’s pockets were empty and he lived with his wife,
The Hidden Advantages of Staying in School
In 1942, the G.E.D. program was launched to enable World War II veterans return home after serving in the military to complete their high school education. By 1947, the state of New York allowed civilians to enroll to get their General Education Development (GED) and earn a high school diploma equivalency. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson began his “War on
Is it OK for Boomerang Kids to Move Back Home?
I frequently have parents ask me if it’s wrong to allow young adult children to move back home with them after they have moved out or following graduation from college. In some countries around the world it is perfectly normal. In others, it is a sign of unreadiness and immaturity. There are obviously varying opinions on the topic. The Wall Street Journal
Five Tips to Increase Attention Spans in Young Adults
When I recently asked a teacher if her students read very much, she asked if I could explain what I meant. Hmmm. I felt like it was a fairly straightforward question. So, I proceeded to repeat my words. She later explained the reason she asked her question is that most of her students actually read quite a bit. They read posts
The Importance of Reducing Moral Hazards with Students
Last year, two educators shared a similar story with me about students who learned how to work the “school system.” Each of the students purposely did poorly on their exams at the beginning of the school year. They answered questions almost randomly. By midterm, they put more thought into the tests they took and by the end of the year,
Does What We Watch Really Affect Us?
I got flack from a college student when I released the first Habitudes book that included an image called, “Personal Laptop.” This principle teaches that our minds operate much like a personal laptop computer: they go with us everywhere we go and record the content we put in them. Our minds store information and experiences that influence our decisions. Garbage
The Importance of Radical Independence
This week, Americans celebrate our anniversary as a nation. But did you know that when the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. Although some politicians advocated independence from England—the average American, from any of the original colonies—wasn’t too hot on the idea. Just one
How to Develop Positive Self-Esteem in Teens
Self-esteem for kids has been a hot topic for fifty years. In the late 1960s, books were written for educators and parents about the need to affirm young people; for teens to “find themselves,” believe in themselves and express themselves. It was an epiphany for Builder generation parents who often felt kids should be seen more than heard. As Baby Boomers
The Negative Impact of Social Media on a Teen’s Self-Esteem
While social media platforms have had a positive effect on some kids’ and teens' self-esteem, (including those who become YouTube famous), it has had a negative effect on the majority of them. Sooner or later, each young person observes posts that: Make them feel worse about themselves. (Cyber-bullying) Cause them to feel they’re missing out on a better life. (Fear