10 FACTS EVERY TEENAGER SHOULD KNOW: How parents can help children in this delicate period ~ By Bola Adewara

The teenage years mark a transition from childhood, where parents make most decisions, to this period of newfound independence and self-discovery.

As teenagers enter secondary schools and interact with a new circle of friends, they explore their individuality and freedom.

The teenage years are delicate. Legally, they are considered minors. Society and the law often forgive many of their mistakes, placing the responsibility on their parents.

However, as they reach the later years of their teens, such leniency diminishes as they complete secondary education and become subject to legal repercussions. Parents should see themselves as actively involved in the life and development of teenagers. They should rely on parental guidance and supervision.

This discourse by Dr. Bola Adewara will highlight ten crucial facts teenagers should know to ensure that their foundational years are not marred by errors.

This lecture is also directed at parents because most teenagers are not mature enough to surmount them on their own.

1. GET EDUCATED

   The business of every teenager is secondary Before your teenage years, you must have completed your primary education.

   The biggest achievement a teenager could have is the completion of secondary education and admission into a tertiary institution.

   Even if you are gifted with your hands and imagination, and you desire to be an artisan like a carpenter, vulcaniser, or fashion designer, or you are not interested in going to university, it is important that you must complete your secondary education, acquiring the ability to write, read and understand.

    

2. DISCOVER TALENT AND PURPOSE
   

   Parents, expose your teenagers to a wide range of experiences, both academic and non-academic, to help them discover their interests, gifts, talents, and purpose.Every human is born with a purpose tied to their talents and gifts.

   Help teenagers find their purposes or talents before tertiary education. When education or profession is tied to purpose and gifts, there is a great passion for driving, and success is not far.

   The essence of education is discovering how the gifts and purpose could be refined and become a meal ticket to put food on the table. When a child is a gifted talker, find a relevant profession where the child could excel.

   A child that naturally likes to dance or sing is likely created to be an artiste. A child scared of blood cannot be a doctor or nurse. Parents, stop forcing children to embrace professions for which they are not cut out.

   No profession on earth cannot bring huge success. Professional success and financial reward are tied to excellence in whatever you do.

3. EMBRACE MENTORSHIP
   

   As you recognise your teenager’s unique gifts and talents, please encourage them to engage in mentoring relationships with accomplished professionals or individuals who have excelled in their respective fields.
   These mentors will serve as valuable guides, providing insightful advice to aid your teenager in self-discovery.

   In addition to mentorship, offering support by introducing them to inspiring role models in their areas of talent is crucial. By this, you ignite a spark of curiosity and motivation in them.

4. DON’T BE DECEIVED
   

   It is important to inform teenagers that the adolescent stage is not the ideal time to focus on wealth accumulation.

   This phase of life is meant for learning fundamental aspects such as morality, education, spirituality, and more. It serves as a crucial foundation for shaping your future.

   If you come across peers who prioritise immediate monetary gains over their studies, it is essential to trust in your judgment, as they may have disregarded the necessary developmental process and may face regret in the future. The path to success in life is a gradual progression that should be followed diligently.

5. BUILD MORAL VALUES
   

   Gradual independence of a child starts in their teenage years. Now, that they are interfacing with society, it is time to start imbibing some facts of life.

   Mutual respect, truth, gratitude to God and man, the spirit of giving and sharing, fellow feeling and compassion are some of the most important moral values teenagers should imbibe fast.

   Parents’ ability to share moral experiences, showing approval when they do right and disapproval when they misbehave, will help inculcate moral values in them.

   Parents should be their role models, not the television stars. Children hear what their parents say but do what they do.

   The best way to teach a teenager is by doing. Give them past and current scenarios to help them form opinions and thoughts.

6. THIS IS NO TIME FOR SEX
   

   Teenage life, typically between 13 and 19, experiences rapid physical growth and development. Puberty, usually around 11 or 12, brings about significant changes, such as developing secondary sexual characteristics, hormonal fluctuations, and substantial growth spurts.

   This transformative phase encompasses notable physical, cognitive, and emotional shifts. Parents, this is the time to watch your teenagers keenly, remembering that this is the age they are most susceptible to various temptations from peers and even adults.

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   Considering they are often off the parents’ radar, they take risks, including sexual, which often leads to teenage pregnancies.

   Teenagers, don’t start any love relationship now. This is no time for sex, casual or consensual. If you are a girl, don’t be too private with the opposite sex.

   Often, female teenagers have been raped and, in the process, got infected with diseases they would live it for the rest of their lives.

7. HONOUR YOUR PARENTS
   

   It is typical for some teenagers to be disobedient to, and some rebellious against, parents. Teenagers should remember that parents are still responsible for their well-being, so they cannot sustain such spirits.

   Instructions to honour your parents are recognised in all religions worldwide. The closest ally you could ever have is your parents because they will always tell you the truth. Even if they reprimand you, it doesn’t mean they hate you.

   WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO:
   MENTORING MASTERCLASS BY APOSTLE BOLA ADEWARA.

   Don’t dismiss your parents’ views on any issue as outdated or conceal your thoughts and fears from them. They possess more excellent life experience than you.

   What a parent perceives from a seated position, a teenager cannot fully comprehend from the vantage point of a tree.

   Remember that years ago, your parents laid the foundation for what you perceive as fashionable in today’s world.

Teenagers should be taught the virtues of hard work and the importance of wealth creation rather than being swayed by prosperity messages that rely on naivety and a simplistic understanding of faith.

8. AS A TEENAGER, BE CURIOUS AND ASK QUESTIONS
   

   Be curious and ask questions always. Curiosity and asking questions are fundamental to the learning process. By being curious, you actively seek new information, explore different perspectives, and deepen your understanding of the world.

   Asking questions helps you clarify concepts, fill knowledge gaps, and discover new ideas. It helps you with critical thinking.

   At your age, you still have a long way to go, but you must start building a solid foundation in problem-solving, curiosity and preparation for the future.

9. EMBRACE SPIRITUALITY WITH WISDOM
   

   During your teenage years, it is crucial to embark on a journey of understanding God and nurturing your faith earnestly.

   As a Christian, this is the opportune time to commit numerous verses and chapters to memory.These will serve as a valuable resource as you progress through life.

   It is essential to recognise that you can only give what you possess. As you navigate life’s challenges, certain opportunities may become increasingly difficult to pursue due to the responsibilities of each phase.

   The teenage period offers a unique opportunity to learn and retain knowledge that will stay with you forever.

   One crucial aspect is memorising Scripture and cultivating a foundational relationship with God.

   However, it is essential to exercise caution against spiritual pitfalls prevalent in this age, such as falling into the trap of easy believism and gullibility.

   Teenagers should be taught the virtues of hard work and the importance of wealth creation rather than being swayed by prosperity messages that rely on naivety and a simplistic understanding of faith.

10. RAPIDLY ACQUIRE THESE ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• At the appropriate time, learn to drive, swim, play musical instruments, etc.
• Cultivate financial literacy. You should have a bank account with some funds deposited.
• Hone practical communication skills. Learn to express yourself clearly.
• Learn and engage in games that promote critical thinking abilities.
• Build digital literacy.
• Gain the ability to cook meals independently.
• Remember, you are in a global village. You should be as competitive as your mates anywhere in the world.
• By 16, 17, 18, you should be out of secondary school and in a tertiary institution. Be ready for the next phase of your life.