What life lessons do teens teach adults?
Adults are so fixed on keeping the same course. Teens teach us that experimentation and exploration are good, and that life’s detours can lead us to discover hidden treasures. During his teen years, my oldest son loved change. Because of this mindset, he got me to think that change was good, too. (Note: Opening your arms to change, does not mean you have to let go of your values.) And I discovered that many teen interests are worth their weight in gold: exploring, expressing emotion, validating feelings, discovering new friends, and pursuing freedom. And at all times, my teen reminds me that humor is key to living. Think of something that at first appears negative and try to see the humor in it. Even poke fun at yourself. Recall and share it with another parent. Don’ leave (...continue reading)
Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski is an expert on family culture. Trained as a social scientist, she has done extensive research on how children learn social skills and how teens become leaders. During the course of a career spanning 30 years, she has taught at 7 universities, conducted frequent workshops for parents, and worked one-on-one with teens. Dr. Kuczmarski is known for interactive teaching style, cutting-edge material, and connection with her audiences. She currently teaches at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University, and is the author of four books, two on families and two on leadership.
