The rapid influx of hormones has regulated, the fight for peer acceptance has subsided, and the intensity of conflict over independence... well, they've worn you down. You may begin to see glimpses of rationality as your teen finds their voice, fills their calendar, and accomplishes surprising things.
Year-11 teenagers often take on TAFE courses, volunteer activities, leadership roles, ATAR prep, or an apprenticeship. Whether your teem is caught up in the race to win, or simply trying to survive, year 11 is filled with pressure. Navigating all of this pressure is your teen's major accomplishment.
Actually, they don't expect you to keep up. What they really want is for you to trust them. After all, they will be out of the house soon, and you will have to trust them anyway. Let this be a practice year for both of you. Help them prove the ways they can be trusted, choose your battles wisely, and parent them in the areas that seem to be most challenging for them personally.
Your year 11 teenager is ready to live the life they feel they were born to live - and they don't want to wait to get started. Two years is too long! Actually, next semester feels like forever in the future. Your teenager is ready to do something, right now. Mobilise their potential by listening, guiding, and encouraging their self-expression.
You help them learn when you... ASK QUESTIONS.
You capture their heart when you ... REFINE THEIR SKILLS.
You coach their moral abilities when you ... ENCOURAGE THEM TO SERVE OTHERS.
In this phase when your year-11 teenager is asking, "How can I matter?" A faith community can help them find significance by giving them opportunities to give, serve, and love others. Your year-11 teenager will never get over seeing how Gd can work through them in meaningful ways. Encourage their personal faith journey by having conversations at home.
