Every Tuesday, I share my thoughts on Family Life.

I live in a home with three men, including two teenagers, so I need all the help I can get.  I appreciate the insights of John Bishop of TeachingMoments.com who shares his thoughts today on parenting teenagers:

Why are teenagers so turned off by rules, authority and discipline?

Why do Generation Y kids expect things without wanting to “pay their dues”?

To answer these questions you have to look at the world from their
vantage point. Think of all the instant communication resources they
have always at their disposal. Generation Y has spent years perfecting
their instant everything skills.

Here are some facts about the Instant Everything generation that parents, teachers and managers should know about these bright, inquisitive and challenging young people.

Ten Facts About the Instant Everything Generation

1. I like the Internet, cell phones, personal Web pages, etc.,
because they are attractive, exciting, action-oriented,
multi-dimensional and FAST.

2. I will use instant communications, speed, flexibility and rapid decision making to make the most of each day.

3. On the Internet I can research anything and challenge the status quo on everything.

4. I can develop my new ideas and have them validated immediately.

5. I get bored easily.

6. I’m in control. On the Internet I can decide what I want to look
at, who I will communicate with and at what time of day or night the
activity will take place.

7. I can instantly explore exciting new places, things and ideas without ever leaving my computer.

8. On the Internet I can learn from the brightest minds in the world without lectures, training sessions and classrooms.

9. I can share my ideas with others instantly.

10. I like change and flexibility.

In essence adults are competing with the Internet and instant
communications for teenager’s attention, and it’s not a fair
competition. Simply put, their world moves faster and in more
directions than most adults’ world.

Our challenge is to mentor them without lectures; inspire them and
show them how to turn their goals into action; and help them learn “the
ropes” but know they will use those ropes differently than we did. 
Teenagers want a two-way mentoring situation.  They want to learn from
you and they want to show you how to look at some things from a different vantage point.

This Instant Everything generation will change our world in
some exciting ways. Rapid and revolutionary change will become the
standard as more and more of these young people take their rightful
place in the world. Hold on! This is going to be exciting!