Reply to Lack of motivation and parental success

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "Lack of motivation and parental success"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]
Of course a kid will be scared off by an adult who does nothing but work, if that adult doesn't communicate that they find fulfillment in their work! And working long hours isn't necessarily the key to success. I don't think you should worry about your child, OP. I think you should reframe the lifestyles you are modeling for him. Obviously he only sees the toil, not the joy.

My youngest nephew was completely turned off as a young teen by his older siblings' demanding academic tracks (med school and vet school for the two oldest, and hotel work for the third, which turned out to have equally long hours). He told his parents he didn't want to suffer like his older brothers and sisters, and his parents had to talk him into studying and applying to college. Now he's doing very well as a young engineer, and is in a much better frame of mind. I think it's a mix of adolescent angst, concern about not measuring up to relatives or peers, and sadness at seeing a future life all laid out and prescribed. Remind your son that he can choose what he wants to do in life!

We're an academic, but ADHD/ASD family. We can only work hard on our areas of interest, otherwise it's not possible for us to sustain our attention. So I've told my kids that they have to get degrees in whatever they are passionate about, so they can power through whatever workplace or life issues crop up. My oldest has always had very defined interests, and is pursuing a degree in one of them. My 13 year old doesn't yet know what to do, which is normal, and I find it entirely acceptable for someone her age to relax during the summer. I am confident she will find her path.
 [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics