Setting young people up for a bright future is one of the best things we can do for them, what with the uncertain world that we live in these days. We can’t hold their hands through adulthood, but we can do what is needed while they are young to give them the tools to enjoy a happy life as they grow up.
But what do young people need to enjoy a brighter future? Below you’ll find out what you need to know:
Quality Education
All young people deserve a quality education. Searching for the best schools in your area or outside of your area will ensure you’re sending your kids to the right school, but what if they aren’t eligible to get in because of where you live? Many parents forget that they must be in the right catchment area. Some parents have been known to move or buy a small place in the catchment area just to secure a place for their kids. It may seem extreme, but you can’t put a price on your child’s education.
Your child’s education shouldn’t stop at school, either. Kids do need downtime, but making sure you teach them valuable life lessons at home and encourage them to read as much as possible is a must. It’s never too late to start doing this with older children, either. You can point them to articles that talk about Brexit to answer the question: What is hard Brexit? Which will help them understand more about politics and what to expect. Many young people of voting age simply do not vote, and this is often because they do not understand, or know what they are voting for. Getting them used to this early on will give them a head start and ensure they always have a say in their future.
An Emphasis On Hard Work And Effort
Putting an emphasis on hard work and effort will show your kids that good things require work. Parents have made the mistake in the past of praising a result, calling their kids geniuses, and praising them in similar ways that are equally as unhelpful. The problem with this is that kids will think they do not need to work hard or put any effort in to achieve something, and if something requires too much of their time or effort, they are likely to give up or lose motivation. Using the correct type of praise will make a world of difference and turn them into hard-working adults that know how important it is to put effort into things.
Less Stressed Parents
If you find yourself constantly stressed out as a parent, you can pretty much guarantee that your child is stressed out too. Studies back this up. Stress can be sensed by children, and is often passed on. Many children even said that if they could have anything, they would choose happier, more relaxed parents. If you want to raise children that aren’t simply driven by how much stress they are under, you need to work on yourself and your own stress levels. Figure out what your triggers are, and then work towards eliminating them. Too much work on your plate? Ask for less. Taking care of the kids all day every day? Ask for help to have a little ‘you’ time. It will make a big difference.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Getting your kids used to living a healthy lifestyle as early as possible will teach them all kinds of great life lessons and help them get into many healthy habits. A healthy lifestyle means exercising, eating good food, and of course, having fun and letting loose every now and again. Here are some pointers:
- Make it a lifestyle for the whole family.
- Use positive language.
- Change your own mindset and set a good example — you shouldn’t talk about your body, your weight, or anything that you could pass on to your kids as a problem.
- Don’t use words like ‘good’ or ‘bad’ when it comes to food. Making nutritious choices is important, but labelling things develops an unhealthy mindset. Balance is key.
Open And Honest Discussions About Money
Money is often a source of stress and unhappiness because most people haven’t been taught how to manage it properly, or even how they should be feeling about it! Examine your own attitude towards money before teaching your kids. A strong relationship with money is a must. Appreciate what you have, but know it’s okay to want more of it. It isn’t greedy. It supports your lifestyle.
