18/10/2024                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            You have a right to Shine
As the year slowly sets into finals, graduations and exams.  There are loads of endings and goodbyes taking place.
Our teens are experiencing an array of emotions, speeding up of time, big events and high expectations.  Exactly what is our role as parents and mentors during this time?
I have found that what is most impactful during this season, is the ability to regulate ourselves.  This way, when our young adults need us to support them during exams and assessments, we are emotionally available.
When they need us to transport them to important events and their preparations, we are emotionally available.
When they need a kind word, validation and affirmations during the hardest times, we are also available.
In all of these such actions of love, our teens can know we are with them 100% championing them as they venture through the transformations of young adulthood.
Being there to witness them, seeing it through and trusting all of the love and support given has created strong foundations in them.
Demonstrating how present we are with them, showing them it is safe to enjoy and shine their light on the world.
Needless to say doubting them, scaring them into action, creating a scary false future image, catastrophising, labelling them and using abuse will not build our teens.  It will only leave them feeling alone.
Parents, please give our teens every chance to demonstrate their skills at their pace, trust they will do what is needed at their best capacity and be witness to all of their efforts.
As long as there is a sun, we all have a right to stand proud and shine!