It’s important – almost essential – to help our youth develop their interests, gifts and talents. It lifts them out of dependency and into a world of self-expression and contribution; more importantly, their unique contribution. So doing brings greater meaning and purpose into their life. It gives them a sense of accomplishment; it helps them stay focused on the positive; it teaches them how to work consistently, day in and day out towards improvement, sacrificing immediate wants while learning to be self-disciplined; and it helps them learn that they can overcome personal obstacles. These are character traits that they will build the rest of their lives on. Learn how to help your family members develop their interests, gifts and talents without it taking over your life as a parent, or their life as the student, as well as keeping it from taking over your family resources of time and money. Learn how to find just the right mentors, teachers or coaches for your child and how to keep the pressures they often represent within your own healthy boundaries.
