When your teen gets their first job, they may not necessarily have work experience, and will have to rely on character references. It is important to help your teen undertand the various expectations associated with being a productive member of society. One way to do this is to discuss what it means to be a person of good character.
The following are simple instructions for a game that you can play with the Character Building slide show that you can access by clicking on the image to the left.
Instructions:
1. When the first slide appears, ask your teen what he or she thinks that word means. Be sure to ask questions to help them clarify their thoughts. Then ask them to use the word in a sentance.
For example: "Accountability-following through on what you say that you are going to do."
2. Once they have defined the word, click on the following slide to see if their definition is similar to the one I have given. Discuss any possible differences.
3. Next, have your teen identify one person that they know who demonstrates the quality they have just defined, and explain why they chose them.
For example: "Uncle Harry told me that he was going to take me to a baseball game, and he called the very same week saying he had bought the tickets and gave mom the date and time he would pick me up."
4. Lastly, have them describe and example of how they might demonstrate this quality in their own life.
For example: "When I say that I am going to take the trash out, I get up right then and do it, or, if I am in the middle of doing something else, I set an alarm on my phone so that I don't forget."
Going through the entire slide show in this manner does not have to be done in one sitting. However, you definitely want to address these topics before your teen leaves for college. (don't wait until the last minute)
*Note: If your teen is struggling, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it. Help is just a phone call away! Click on the following link for more information. - Sandra Dupont--LA Teen Therapist
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