Parent Coach Evolution

Excerpt from the book “Coach Your Teen to Success” by Barbara McRae
(Click to find out more about this book)

Like it or not, we aren’t living in the same world we did even a few years ago. Yesterday’s influencing and parenting skills no longer bring success with the teens of today and tomorrow. I know our parents may have felt this way, too, but the children of today are displaying a set of unique characteristics. Here is a summary of the 10 predominant new behavior traits found in children born in the mid-80s:

1. They have short attention spans and get distracted easily.
2. They have lots of physical energy (prone to hyperactivity).
3. They are highly sensitive people with empathy and compassion.
4. They have a great need for attention and quality time.
5. They resist absolute authority (without a dialog and choice).
6. They are strong-willed and cannot be forced to do anything.
7. They have trouble bonding with others who are unlike themselves.
8. They are frustrated with the status quo and look for a better way.
9. They speak with conviction and will ask for what they want.
10. They sense hidden feelings and can get very angry when they feel insincerity or disrespect.

Do you recognize any of these traits? Some of these behaviors also resemble symptoms that indicate Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). If you think that your child could fall into this category, please investigate this thoroughly before using this label. In a study conducted by Dr. Leonard Sax where he reported that “… the initial diagnosis of ADD came from teachers in more than half of the cases, from parents in 25% of cases and from the primary physician in 10%; the rest of the time ADD was identified by a psychologist, neighbor or friend