Connecting with teenagers (and tweens alike).

Through various circumstances that I have found myself in during my life, I always seem to find myself surrounded by kids. By working as a volunteer for my kids schools, by organizing and running carnivals for schools. Being talked into being a troop leader. Later I found myself as a foster mother to 4 girls and a boy alongside our two children.

The amazing thing is when I stop to take a look back and even a look around, I find that kids are drawn to me. We have great conversations, they include me in there circle of friends they want to share with. They hug me when I arrive on campus (yes, even those in high school). Somehow, some way, I seem to connect with kids. Let me be clear - not all kids - I had a recent failed foster parenting experience. So, I have also learned sometimes no matter what you do, sometimes things just don’t work out. Even with the best intentions.

Through my growth through my own children, I have spent so much time with kids that I have seen what many of them are lacking in their lives. I have seen what many of them are searching for. I have seen devastating low self esteem. I have always felt it was my place to build the kids up. It comes naturally for me to try to be inspirational to the kids around me.

I have found that what has seemed to come naturally to me (which is a lack of BS) is what brings me closer to the kids around me. When they do great I tell them. When they screw up, I tell them. When I screw up I tell them. I don’t pad things. I don’t talk down to them and I HEAR them!

So, as I am surrounded by them, I start to realize that how I connect with them and how I connect with my own two teens (14 and 17) is very doable. Being a real person who is sincerely interested in their best interest, their success, their happiness seems to be all that is needed.

I know that most adults genuinely want these things for the kids in their lives and the kids in their community. When more of the kids in your community are thriving, your own thrive as well. I guess what I have learned now is that many adults don’t know how to show those things to teens. Somehow they come across as jerks or just don't relate.

So my blog will consist of ways that I personally show kids how I care and how I want to enhance their lives and their experiences on a daily basis.

I know that if readers who really want to connect with their kids, their kids friends take on some of these simple tasks, positive changes will occur.