Resist cyber pressure by finding your purpose at home
Monday, June 11th, 2012
Photo: Casey Serin (Flickr)
TheFish103.9 CyberParenting Topics Tuesdays
The best way to help our children feel secure and to withstand the pressure of the network giving rise to youth issues, (anxiety/sleeplessness, cyberbullying, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual exploitation), is to help them discover a sense of purpose.
Below are some summer projects to engage your children.
In the process of completing these projects with them, you are also bonding over things that truly impact the heart and mind and reinforce their talents and ability to contribute to the greater good.
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1. Skills assessment stories scrapbook.
This is something parents can do with their children; parents sharing their stories can help kids learn more about you as a person and also sneak a glimpse of adult experiences that might seem mysterious or not relevant. The 2012 Spring Edition of Banana Moments featured the book What Color Is Your Parachute? 2012: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
This exercise is taken from the workbook and manual.
Write down seven stories about things you did because they were fun, gave you a sense of adventure or accomplishment. It can be at school, work or home. Each story should be two to three paragraphs.
Then go over the following: what was the goal, what were the obstacles, what steps were involved, describe the result you wanted, and any quantitative measures.
Then identify the skills involved, and rank them according to your most favorite. (Skills encompassing physical, mental and interpersonal).
Banana Moments enhancement: Then have your child provide illustrations (collage of photos representing the events in the stories or drawings) and prepare a scrapbook: “I enjoy what I do well”.
This type of assessment is critical for developing and managing a fulfilling career, and will help your child be confident and less intimidated with transitions associated with graduating into adulthood (high school graduation and college).
2. Inspire kids to do chores at home.
Photo: clogozm (Flickr)
Create a list of household list of jobs that involve a range of skills, you are giving your child an opportunity to learn how to do more sophisticated assignments (including self manage), contribute to the home, and earn rewards. Read more…
Photo: EvelynGiggles (Flickr)
3. Makeover projects.
4. Personal boundary exercises.
Cyber pressure is boundary-less. In fact, the Internet presumes no barriers, no limits. So in order for children to grow up secure cyber-citizens who can resist network pressure, it is important to cultivate a strong sense of personal boundaries. Read more about Stress Management and boundary setting exercises to practice with your child.
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