There is so much going on out there, and teens are pretty clueless of how they appear to us “adults”. They think they know how they want to be perceived, yet the girls are wearing the shortest tightest skirts, (I can’t imagine how they can even sit down) or the boys have their jeans hanging way down below their belts. For the most part, their communication skills get worse every day as they submerge themselves in their world of text messages, inserting the word “like” into each sentence, and abbreviate everything. They have no idea how to look someone in the eye, shake hands or even speak up with something other than “wassup”. With budget cuts getting worse every day and class sizes getting bigger, how can we get to these kids and teach them what they need to know about survival? The teachers can’t do it, they’re stuck with curriculum that must be taught and then tested. The curriculum is old and for the most part outdated. The teachers are underpaid and have no incentive to inspire. The kids are bored and don’t listen and as a result our drop out ratio is higher than ever. This is our future folks – these kids will one day be running our country and making decisions that will affect a lot of us as we enter the later years of our lives. If you think life is scary now – just wait!

I’ve been taught that when you see a challenge, find a solution. So that’s what I’ve done. I’ve created a series of “classes” to teach life skills to teens. I’ve been fortunate, in that I have found a way to relate to teenagers, and they to me. Coaching and mentoring these kids feeds my soul, but more importantly gives them a new outlook with which to face life. I’m not saying that they’re all a mess, but there are way too many who are. I realize this is pretty brutal, but then truth usually is.

It starts with self esteem. Who are their role models? Who do you think are their role models and why? Is it Kanye and his rap or Lebron James and his focus? Are they listening and doing, or just doing without listening? Are they aware of consequences? Do they care? Do they know what a goal is? If so, do they know how to set and reach it? These are just the first few questions and answers that we dig into when I’m coaching. What makes a teenager tick? How can we motivate them to think and do something positive?

Teenage is a tough time, but we can help them to develop a sense of self and future goals. They can learn to think, act and even accomplish things they never thought about. One of my first students was a 16 year old high school mother with absolutely no self-esteem or thoughts that she could accomplish anything other than just getting through school, and even that would be a first in her family of 14! She grew into a confident, skilled, smart young woman and worked for me personally for 10 years! I’m so proud of her and who she has become, the family she is raising and the life she is enjoying.

If we can work together to produce a better curriculum for life then that’s what we must do. Contact me: Tish@talk2tish.com or Direct 310.867.3334

Let’s work together to create a better life for your kids! I know we can do it!

Gratitude – this is the common thread that runs through Americans this week. As I was taking my morning walk this morning at 7:30 along the beach, the town was just waking up. The famous Venice boardwalk which is usually populated with strange and wacky people and shops was locked up tight. Just a few café’s were open for early breakfast customers. The ocean was blue and sparkled as the sun was shining brightly on the water. As I walked along the boardwalk, breathing in the fresh air, I began to think about how much gratitude I have for life. As other’s do this week, I started to make a mental list of things I appreciate and try not to take for granted. There are simple things such as good health, family, love, and friends. There is a roof over my head, and food in my kitchen. My little dog Laci, rubs up against my leg with affection, knowing that she is unconditionally loved, and loves back the same way. Love - the emotion that is most expensive, yet most gratifying. I’m so fortunate to have found love with my husband of 32 years. We’ve shared so many journeys. Some wonderful, and other’s painful. Each journey has offered timeless lessons and layers to our life. My husband has cheered me on, comforted me in sorrow, and taken care of me when I was ill. He has supported my activities and several careers throughout the years. We’ve shared some really tough times, and come through as better individuals and a stronger couple. Yes, we’ve used the “sickness and in health” commitment, and the “for better or worse”, too. If I had it to do over, I would do it in a heartbeat!

Family – can extend to anyone you want to include. Some of my closest family are my friends. When I was a young girl, I was told that if you could count your true friends on one hand you were truly blessed. Well, that’s me. I’m so fortunate to have the most wonderful friends. They have offered such loyalty over the years. No matter what, my friends have been there when I needed them, as I am for them. There is a circle of life and what goes around DOES come around. My sister, although living thousands of miles away, is as close as my cell phone. When we're together, it's as if we've never been apart. If I need her, or vice versa, we're there for each other. Our children mean the world to us, and we love the appreciation that goes both ways as they are now adults. Our children have given us angst and pride over the years. More lessons! All in all, we’re blessed. Our 3 kids, their spouses and children are tremendous blessings.

Health - We don’t take this for granted. We’ve both had some pretty serious health issues and as a result, don’t take anything for granted here. Gratitude for getting through these challenges and what we’ve learned as a result is a given.

So, I have a lot to be grateful for, and this is just a small list. Take some quiet time this week, and just contemplate your blessings. When you sit at your Thanksgiving table, grab hands and say a blessing of gratitude. We all have much to be thankful for. What are you grateful for this week?

Comments to this post are welcome!