TAKE A STAND AGAINST MEDIOCRITY

Teens today are lured into becoming complacent and to settle for being average. The problem is that the average is spiraling downward - morally, academically, and vocationally. Teachers could tell you story after story of intelligent teen-agers who make little effort to excel in class. Coaches could tell you about athletes who have the potential to be great if only they would work at it. Employers repeatedly fire teens for lack of a good work ethic.

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. When Christ asks us to go the second mile, He means making that extra effort in everything. We need to be excellent in all things because we are representing Christ and our children need to catch a vision for being His ambassador.

How parents can instill excellence in their children:

Decide to model and teach a commitment to excellence. Take a look at your own life: Are you satisfied with the status quo, do you maximize your potential, does your child see you as a growing, developing, hard-working person?

Understand that God has given you the responsibility of developing children to their fullest potential. Press them to be their best. Cheer them on when they struggle. Help them with their homework and class projects. Insist that homework be done to the best of their ability.

Root causes for mediocrity in kids:

Low expectations. Whatever the task, set goals that stretch (not break) your child and insist on quality effort. Make sure they meet deadlines with high standards. Teach the principle of learning how to be faithful in little things so that they are qualified to be trusted with bigger things (Matt. 25:14-30).

Peer pressure. The prevailing attitude among students is that "getting by" is good enough. Know your child's friends and steer your children, early in their development, toward other children who value achievement and school.

Ineffective rewards or motivation. If your child does a good job, reward him/her generously. And reward progress away from mediocrity and toward excellence as well. Applaud achievement and quality effort in all areas of life, not just with grades and activities such as sports. Require excellence doing chores around the house, in managing their money, in finding and doing a part-time job, and in their attire and language.

Inadequate support from key individuals. You are the key person in making your child want to climb above mediocrity. Be your child's number-one fan. Solicit help from others along the way - a teacher, coach, or church youth worker.

Dennis and Barbara Rainey have co-authored The New Building Your Mate's Self-Esteem and Moments Together for Couples. Dennis, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, co-founded Family Life Ministry. He is the author of Staying Close, The Tribute and the Promise, and One Home at a Time. He is also senior editor of HomeBuilders Couples Series, which has sold nearly 1 million copies. He co-hosts FamilyLife Today radio program. Barbara, a graduate of the University of Arkansas, has served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ for 26 years. They have six children and live in Little Rock, Ark.
From Parenting Today's Adolescent by Dennis and Barbara Rainey, copyright (c) 1998. Used by permission of Word Publishing, Nashville, Tenn., 1-800-933-9673. All rights reserved.

© 1997 vinebranch@hotmail.com

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