You might think teenagers have it easy, after all, they have no real responsibilities – what could they possibly worry about?! However, teenagers actually feel a lot of pressure. They are expected to figure out what they want to do for the next X amount of years in their education, as well as have a good idea of what they would like to do in their professional lives once education is over. It’s a lot to think about for a brain that isn’t fully developed yet (and for a person that likely doesn’t 100% know themselves, and is not free from the pressures/expectations of friends/family) to handle. 

It can be really difficult for them to figure out what it is they want to do, but as their parent, you can help them. Remember that no matter if they want to become a Massage Therapist, chef or a writer, it is your job to support and guide them wherever you can. Below, we’ll go through some of the things you can do to help them figure it all out.

Set an example

Start off by setting an example. Hopefully, you already are. If you’re a person who is self aware, follows their passions, and works hard, your teen will likely mirror that behavior. This might take some hard work on your part, however, you can’t expect your teen to do their best and find their calling if you are not doing the same. 

Provide opportunities for exploration

Your teen is going to need plenty of opportunities for exploration. Don’t just let them sit at home watching TV, using social media, or playing games. That’s fine in moderation, but they should be cultivating interests and hobbies, too. Providing opportunities for them to explore as early on as possible will be a huge help when it comes to them deciding what they want to do with their lives. After school clubs can be a huge help, as can weekend workshops. Part time jobs or work experience can also be a good idea. Volunteer work is great too, because it can give them a great sense of empathy and compassion. All of these things will also make great talking points when they go for college/real world interviews. 

Encourage career exploration

You can’t expect to help them for a few weeks and have them suddenly know that they want to do their vocational nursing training. You should be patient – it can take a while for them to figure it out. They might not even completely figure it out. They might just know what they want the next step to be, and that’s fine too. They won’t always know the end result until it comes to it, so enjoying the journey is absolutely key. 

Don’t project your career insecurities onto them

If your teen tells you that they want to be a stand up comedian, radio presenter, or something that might seem ‘difficult’ and ‘uncertain’ to you, you might feel a little frightened. What if it’s too hard? What if they fail? However, projecting your own fears and insecurities onto them will do no good. You need to let them learn their own lessons and make their own mistakes, and you don’t want to be blamed for them not following their dreams. Do your best to support them. You can’t force them to be somebody they are not.