As someone who believes we learn from examples, I'm here to tell parents of teenagers when it comes to motivating teenagers it really does begin with you the parents.
If you are trying to find ways of motivating teenagers to work, you must set the example yourself.
You will only gain their respect to follow your advice when you yourselves practice what you preach.
Show how the teen can positively benefit by having the freedom to obtain things they want with their own money.
Fail there and you might lose the battle of persuasion.
Here are three things you as parents of teenagers must remember when motivating teenagers to work: 1.
Teach Your Teenager about the Work Ethic In today's world of fast and easy means to gain success, the old Puritan work ethic that was very strong in the World War II generation, must be explained and taught to our youth.
You might have stories of parents, grandparents or other persons you admire that you can share with your teenagers.
Take the time to review some family history and explore the times in which they lived.
Seek to understand and convey what life was like for them - before the Internet, smart phones and social networks! Motivating teenagers to work must include some basic foundational instruction.
I'm also a big advocate of remembering through memorials the past.
Taking time as a family to reflect on those who lived before you in your family will go a long way to appreciating where you came from and how far.
2.
Show Your Teenager Work Is Not Punishment When you do approach your teenager about work, you must be careful that it is not seen in the negative.
If your teenager thinks this is a punishment, he will not be motivated to work.
Motivating teenagers to work requires removing any negative connection to the desired result.
If you fail to do that, they will run in the other direction fast.
Point out how work is a vital part of life.
Explain how work helps fulfill us and provides opportunities to provide help needed for tasks to basically keep things going.
Point to the world around them and show how through work, the products and services we all enjoy come about as a result of it.
Finally, you can share how everyone works in one way or another.
3.
Ask Your Teenager In the Right Way It is so amazing what a difference it makes in how you talk to people.
This is equally true of your teenagers.
They are going through this massive change as their bodies are dealing with hormones and maturing.
Their emotions can be all over the place and your good intentions can be completely misinterpreted and misunderstood.
So here is a suggestion: Ask them to work in the right way.
Here is how.
Don't demand, command or threaten in any way.
That will only invoke resistance, defiance and rebellion because you come across barking out orders.
Instead, frame your desire for your teenagers to work in a way that they will see the benefits for them.
Here is an example of what you might tell your video-game crazed teenager.
You might say, "I've noticed that you really enjoy video games.
You know, you can have more video games, even the latest games if you worked and had your own money.
We can only provide just so much with all the expenses we have.
But with the money you earn you could really keep up with that.
" You did not come across demanding "You need to get out and go to work.
" Instead, you pointed out from something your teenager was already interested in how he can benefit if he worked.
Always remember to show your teenagers how much you love them through your respect of them as individuals and by being there for them.
You will make this impression upon them and they will remember it for the rest of their lives.