Wear a blue shirt or a red shirt?
Try to fit in or create your own style?
Go out with so-and-so or find a way to say "No thanks"?
Watch some TV or do homework first?
Young people make a lot of decisions every day. Some are easy, others difficult, and still others just plain irritating. But all of these decisions are good practice for their future as they learn how to take more control of their lives.
Best of all, when young people start connecting the choices they make today with their futures (goals, dreams, ideas for jobs), the better they'll get at actually planning for what they want.
Young people who learn to make good decisions and plan ahead do better in school, are less likely to engage in drinking, smoking, or using other drugs, and are better able to accomplish more of what they want.
Only 26 percent of young people say they know how to plan ahead and make choices, according to our most recent Profiles of Student Life survey. Show young people different strategies to effectively plan ahead and make healthy decisions.
Encourage young people to keep a daily "to do" list and check off items as they complete the tasks. Allow room for mistakes, but avoid rescuing them from the consequences. Celebrate progress and accomplishments in planning and decision making.
Talk with your child about how you make decisions. Have you changed your approach over time? Invite your child to help with making a decision or plan a family event.
I.F. Eastman, M.A., coordinates Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth of Warren County on behalf of Family Services. This article was adapted from Instant Assets, published by Search Institute.