As a parent, you naturally want to do everything in your power to help your children succeed. But what if your child has creative talents? How can you support them without smothering them – or worse, pushing them away?
It can be tricky to find the right balance, but with a little patience and some commonsense tips, you can learn how to nurture your teen’s talents without being a pushy parent.
Here are some tips for supporting your teen’s creativity:
Encourage Them to Pursue Their Passions
The first step is to encourage your teen to pursue their passions. If they’re interested in music, art, or writing, encourage them to take classes or join extracurricular activities related to their interests. Don’t be too forceful, however. It’s important that your teen pursues the passions of their own accord; otherwise, they may quickly lose interest.
Here are some ideas for how you can encourage your teen to pursue their passions:
- Sign them up for classes or extracurricular activities related to their interests.
- Buy them supplies they need to pursue their passions, like art supplies or a new instrument.
- Encourage them to practice regularly.
- Take them to see performances or exhibits related to their interests.
- Make sure they have time in their schedule to pursue their passions.
Provide Opportunities
If your teen expresses interest in a certain activity, try to provide opportunities for them to get involved. For example, if your teen expresses an interest in music, for example, you could hire a guitar tutor to help them learn. Or, if they’re interested in writing, you could buy them a laptop, so they can start working on their novel.
The key is to provide opportunities without being too pushy. It’s important that your teen feels like they have the control to pursue their passions – not that you’re dictating their every move.
Respect Their Boundaries
It’s also important to respect your teen’s boundaries. Just because you’re supportive of their creative endeavors doesn’t mean you should be in their face 24/7. If they need some space, give it to them. It’s OK to take a step back and let them pursue their passions on their own.
In fact, it’s often best to let your teen make their own mistakes. It’s a natural part of the learning process, and it can help them become more resilient in the long run.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be completely hands-off. It’s still important to be there for your teen when they need you. But try to strike a balance between being supportive and giving them the space they need to grow.
Give Them Space to Grow
While it’s important to encourage your teen to pursue their passions, it’s just as important to give them the space they need to grow. This means not hovering over them constantly and giving them the opportunity to make mistakes – and learn from them.
It can be difficult to take a step back, but it’s important to remember that your teen is their own person. They need the chance to explore their talents and figure out what they’re passionate about. So don’t be afraid to give them some space.
Encourage Them to Be Persistent
It’s also important to encourage your teen to be persistent. Pursuing a creative passion can be difficult, and there will be times when your teen feels like giving up. But it’s important to encourage them to stick with it.
Remind them that everyone has setbacks and that it is important to keep trying. Help them develop a game plan for staying motivated, whether that means setting small goals or taking breaks when they get overwhelmed.
Most importantly, believe in your teen. Tell them that you think they have what it takes to succeed. A little encouragement can go a long way.
Be Their Cheerleader
Finally, be your teen’s biggest fan. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small. And when they face setbacks, be there to offer support and encouragement.
Let them know that you’re in their corner, no matter what. Your unconditional love and support can make all the difference in the world. So don’t be afraid to show it.
You can also show your support by attending their performances or exhibits or by sharing their work with others. The more you can do to cheer them on, the better.
Pushing your teen too hard to excel in their passions can backfire and result in them resenting the activity – or you. Finding a balance between being supportive and giving them space to grow is important. With a bit of patience and effort, you can help your teen nurture their talents without being a pushy parent.
