How to Do a Mind-Map with Your 14-Year-Old Teen
Try a mind-map exercise to help you and your teen see big horizons.
Here is a mind-map video that my son Ezra (14 years old) made today with colored pens and a big sheet of paper taped to the table. If you pay close attention to this time-lapse, you might see my hands in the camera view as I am with him, asking questions and having a conversation about big ideas that make sense based on the tools and skills he is already beginning to develop.
You have now started a great conversation about possibilities connected to the reality of what you allow and encourage your teen to do in the coming year.
The beauty of this mind-mapping exercise is that it becomes apparent that while multiple options are available, intentionality has to occur to avoid being caught up in the same crowded educational path.
How to Pass One College Course Per Week
Have you ever met a young person who was able to get three college degrees by mostly passing one college course exam per week?
Meet Evelyn Stein from California who as a young person developed her own method of passing each of her college courses at the rate of one a week, beginning at around the age of sixteen. She is now 24 years old.
When she was obligated by her university's requirement to take on a few of the traditional campus classes, she confirmed that her method was indeed vastly superior. She explains this repeatable strategy in this interview!
Be inspired as to how bold your own teenage daughter can be in taking control of her education.
Welcome to New Course "Blog to Your Talent"
Why should your teen blog? What might your son or daughter be missing out on? We have launched new course that teaches your young person how to blog about his talent for the world to see.
Teens learn to write about something that captures their interest... and then as result their writing gets better and better.
They learn to be relevant in what they're learning.
They are building a portfolio.
They are discovering the process of trying to find answers and documenting that progress.
Long-term, they are able to prove to that they are truly good at a particular skillset.
https://parenttheirpassion.com/blogging-course/
"Why Blogging Works" by a 12 Year Old Nicholas
Now a young adult full time programmer, Nicholas started blogging when he was a pre-teen talking about his computer interests and his programming interests.
In this short interview with his mother he explained how the blogging was working out for him at age 12.
These were not abnormal interests for a young boy, but because he put himself out there on a regular basis, he got comfortable interacting with more advanced people than himself in his field of youthful interest. Over time this opened doors of opportunity until he started making money with small coding jobs before he was age 18. This process can be emulated by any other young teen in almost any other field of interest or passion. Start young, start small, and blog about the adventures of your talent journey!
Author Sara Blackard Shares Insights on How to Get Started Writing Novels at Age 16
Author Sara Blackard specializes in “Romantic Suspense” novels and “Romantic Comedy” novels placed within an adventure and wilderness context. Yes, there is a market for romance novels without porn and she has readers!
She shares with me in an interview how a 16 year old can get started on a career of being a paid author. Later in the interview she discloses how her own experience of spending six years in college doing an English degree had no relevance to helping her become a paid author. What did help can be acquired and acted now during the teen years.
This was a thrilling interview for me to conduct! I get excited thinking of how many young aspiring writers could turn their writing interest into a marketable passion. Follow her on Instagram at @sara.blackard and check her published work at SaraBlackard.com "where grand adventures and sweet romance collide!"
Blogging at 12 Years Old About His Interest in Computer Programming
Listen to our young son Nicholas back almost ten years ago when he started blogging about his talent. Jump to the 2 minute 30 second mark to go straight to his voice.
Nicholas went on to keep growing his youthful programming talent until it turned into a career even before he graduated from High School.
Blogging allowed him to connect early on with experts and mentors in his field of interest, which in turn further fueled his passion for programming. Blogging for teens is a powerful tool!
Interview with Nicholas Harris (19) on how he became a programmer
Listen to this interview with our then 19-year-old son Nicholas Harris who shares how he became a computer programmer. It all started with a common youthful interest in playing the online game Minecraft. On the face of it, there was not much to make of it for his future. But when he tasted the productive side of the computing world, it sent him on a course that took advantage of his very logical bent and created a coding career for him that he loves.
Check out the coding outfit that Nicholas is currently with: https://www.blogfixer.com/
Why Blogging-to-Your-Talent for a Teen is So Powerful
We explain how and why blogging breaks down the barriers to entry for your teen years before he becomes a young adult.
Get your dose of thirty minutes of great ideas for jump-starting your child into a life of passion and marketable talent.
Even if you had zero ideas on how to trigger that worthwhile passion in your teen's life, this one idea of blogging around a single interest can be life-changing. Think of the power of a diary to bring self-awareness, but removed from all the dissipated personal emotional drama. That is blogging to your talent.
Writing about and posting videos consistently around into single focused blog will open those doors of opportunity.
How We Built the Art Talent in Our Teen Daughter
Got an artistic teen in your midst, but you are not artistic yourself?
Neither were we.
And yet... we had a young daughter showing a strong artistic desire to draw. We used that pre-disposition to help her turn that interest into a marketable talent while still in her teens.
We didn't have to be the art expert. And neither do you!
By the time she was 15 years old, Noelle was creating digital art for podcasters about their horse content episodes, Instagram influencers who documented their homesteads, and individuals who wanted images of their pets and grandchildren.
And she got paid for it! (See some of her work in this video.)
If you have a teen in the beginning stages of art, NOW is the time to allow her the room to pour into it. We'll show you how.
Get your dose of thirty minutes of great ideas for jump-starting your child into a passion and marketable talent.
How Your Teenager Can Hijack His Non-School Activities to His Own Benefit
Any extracurricular group activity can be used to your young person's advantage so that your son or daughter can test out a way to bring value with the real personal interest that has nothing actually to do with what the club is promoting. We explain how to do it and how it will make a hero out of your maverick teen to the rest of the group.
Curious? Listen to the interview on how your teen can do it!
How to Raise Confident Teens by Using their Interests to Build a Valuable Talent
We are asked in this interview by Rachel of the RaisingConfidentTeens.com podcast about how we have been homeschooling our nine children for more than twenty years while also running an online family business.
We shared about when our oldest child began approaching the teenage years, we decided to design his schooling to help him develop his interests and talents instead of just looking at filling up his academic buckets of knowledge. As a teen, that son owned a profitable aerial drone business and built on that foundation for his current career.
From that first successful experiment, we extrapolated the same methods onto the next four children. That resulted in having them also develop their own businesses, built on the skills and talents they deliberately cultivated during their youth.
How Did Our Son Nicholas Start at Age 12 Developing his Talent?
We explain how we got our then 12-year old son Nicholas to start intentionally bringing value to others using his love for all things computers and his strong interest in programming. The path to finding a passion was organic, natural, and made sense to our family's needs and opportunities. You can follow the same strategy.
At the time of this video recording, that same son Nicholas is now 20 years old and enjoying his full time programing career and living on his own and supporting himself.
How to Move Your Child from Boredom to Passion
Moving your teen from an general feeling of boredom to a position of intense self-motivation and passion for life involves a strategy. We explain how and why the strategy works so effectively to awaken an interest within your son or daughter that can be transformed into a long term marketable talent.
How Do You Teach Passion, Innovation, and Resilience into Teens?
We talk with David Turano of "Cut Through the Noise Podcast"
Dave says, "Many children are coddled out of developing their own resilience and problem-solving skills – which are the skills that they’ll need to become independent adults.
But children want to contribute to solving problems, both big and small. And parents want their children to take an active role in becoming producers, not consumers. So how do you teach innovation? And how do you habituate resilience?"
How to Make Your Child's Extra Curricular Activities Count
We talk with Tricia Hodges on how to leverage the area of your teen's life that is in the extra curricular category, such as soccer, music, bicycling, etc.
How to Make your Kid’s Extracurricular Activities Count: navigating your child’s interests without stressing the family schedule and budget.
If you are already deep into an extra-curricular activity that you feel you cannot quit at this point in time, there is a way to still make it serve your child's long term goals.
How I Did Parent-Their-Passion With My Second Son, Caleb
We explained on a live Zoom call how we got started with the Parent-Their-Passion method back when our second son was only 12 years old. He is 23 at the time of this recording and is in a career with a lifestyle that evolved organically around his personality and strengths.
When we started over a decade ago, we did not have a end-destination career label in mind. He started with a very small interest in gem pendant making at a local club. He grew and pivoted on that small talent so that it started creating value for others, all the while supporting our son's individuality. We were very happy as parents with the outcome and explain how you can copy this same strategy with your own teen.
How I Did Parent-Their-Passion With My Oldest Son, Jonathan Jr.
We explained on a live Zoom call how we got started with the Parent-Their-Passion method back when our oldest son was only 12 years old. He was 24 at the time of this recording and is in a career with a lifestyle that suits him like a glove.
When we started over a decade ago, we did not have a end-destination career label in mind, but rather we stayed flexible and encouraged him to pivot and morph his talent so that it created value for others, while it still played to our son's uniqueness. We were very happy with the outcome and explain how you can copy this same strategy, which we use with each of our children.
Most Unique Parenting Strategy Ever!
I had the privilege of being interviewed by "Joe SixPack" from the "The Cantankerous Catholic" podcast where I discuss with Joe how a father can develop each of his children's potential.
I am Protestant and he is Catholic and we had a very good meeting of the minds.
I explain how a child's potential can be unleashed now during the teen years, with the father playing a great role in being able to ignite that fire early on.
The "Parable of the Talents" comes up as a model in understanding how talents should be treated in your child's life. It's not about focusing on what you started off life with, it's about what you are willing to multiply. (That parable is found in the Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 25)
Leading Your Family By Parenting The Passions of Your Kids
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Kyle Gillette from the "The Sage Mindset Podcast" where I discuss with Kyle how to parent the interests and passions of each child. Learn about the compounding effect of this approach. Get insights on how to help your kids shift from being consumers to being producers.
My wife Renee joins me to share with Kyle what we have learned over many years as parents coaching for marketable talent in each of our children:
How To Turn Your Teenager's Interest Into Marketable Talent
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Marcus Norman of the "Gentleman Style Podcast" where we discuss how a parent can know if his child's current interests are worth it pursuing. Finding how to deliver value is the way forward.
Check out Marcus' podcast where he frequently interviews on the topic of how parents can develop money and entrepreneurship awareness at a young age:
Interview with Nicholas Harris (19) on how he became a programmer
Listen to this interview with our then 19-year-old son Nicholas Harris who shares how he became a computer programmer. It all started with a common youthful interest in playing the online game Minecraft. On the face of it, there was not much to make of it for his future. But when he tasted the productive side of the computing world, it sent him on a course that took advantage of his very logical bent and created a coding career for him that he loves.
Check out the coding outfit that Nicholas is currently with: https://www.blogfixer.com/
Interview with David Ask, sharing tools and ideas that prepare for a beautiful career in the arts
Listen to this interview with David Ask who shares his recommendations on how teenagers can engage now to prepare themselves for a life in the arts after high-school. He confirms that yes, artistic proficiency is necessary, but as important as technical excellence is, the intentional and humble relationship building aspect of a career is as important. He explains how it really works in the art world. Dads, your sons and daughters can have a successful life while pursuing their art!
Check out David Ask's web presence here: https://www.davidask.com//
Interview with Tucker Goulding (24 years old), landscaping business owner in San Jose, California
Listen to this interview with Tucker Goulding, a young adult who loves the physicality of work, and who had original plans of becoming a firefighter. He managed to pivot in one year from a deep investment into firefighting career path onto a landscape business ownership path in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the United States. When Tucker hit a "glass ceiling" in his firefighting aspirations, he shares how he went through a short phase of disorientation before he regrouped, stopped the self-doubting, and used a particular strategy to turn an old side-hustle into serious business.
Check out Tucker Goulding's web presence here: https://www.newmorninglandscaping.com//
Interview with David Ask, opera singer and businessman, on how to live successfully with the arts.
How would you coach your artistically bent 16-year-old son to embrace a mindset that prepares him for a successful life after high school?
Listen to this interview with David, a fellow dad with teenagers of his own, who balances a wonderful life of being singer, writer, entrepreneur, coach, and unashamed businessman, all at the same time. It's a wonderfully creative life that can be full of peace, harmony, and spiritual contentment.
Check out David Ask's portfolio here: https://www.DavidAsk.com/
Interview with Wil and Ryan Ingram, real estate investors
What would you advise your 16 year old who might be interested in a career related to property management and real estate investment?
Listen to this interview for the straight-scoop on how your young person could get prepared now, while still under your roof, for such a career opportunity.
Check out Ryan Ingram's videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=magYNIb9JlM
Interview with Dr. Justin Anderson, chiropractor
What would he recommend if you had a teenager showing potential for an interest in something like chiropractic work?
Dr. Anderson shares his career advice as a successful chiropractor and business owner. He would not have unnecessarily wasted six years of disconnected college time had he only done what he now recommends to young people. Listen to his strategy on how to get more clarity while still in the teen years.
Dr. Anderson's practice: https://www.wellnessmontana.com/
Interview with Steve Wisniewski, business owner, employer, and mentor
What is it like from an employer's perspective to take on and mentor high school aged young people?
Steve Wisniewski, a successful business owner, has a love for helping young people, especially young men, to establish themselves in the work world with the right mindset. Listen to his compassionate and caring insight into how to look at the work and business relationship with customers and clients.
Call with Renee Harris and 18 year old son Gideon - BONUS
Topic:When a company pays you to ship their Christmas packages for them
How much do you charge? How do you manage when it's over 200 gift boxes? What are all the obstacles to consider? Gideon did this for other companies when he was young and shares everything you need to consider.
Interview with Chris Render, graduation coach and consultant
Topic: How to Create the Ideal Graduation Road Map
Chris Render shares tips on how to create a roadmap and schedule so that your teenager graduates with all the things in place that he needs to really embrace his unique path post-graduation
Check out Chris Render's coaching and consulting services here: https://www.InitiatingImpact.com/
Call with Jonathan and Renee Harris about blogging - Sat, Oct 2
Topic: What Can Turbo-Boost Your Child's Talent Growth?
Jonathan and Renee have a “secret” that they want to share with you that is so powerful, you could almost fail at all the other parts of ParentTheirPassion and still, your teenager would probably succeed.
Call with Renee Harris and their 18 year old son Gideon
Find out what it's like for a child who had many interests when he was 12 years old to be raised by parents who parented his passion... within 6 years, what did he develop and what is he doing with it now?
Bonus: watch to the end where he says, "here's what I would make sure parents should know" (including where we did well and what we could have done differently.)
Chris Render on Teens and Mastermind Groups
Jonathan and Chris talk about the importance of mastermind groups for teens (and adults!) for accountability, developing a talent or business, goal-setting, and friendship.
Find Chris at www.initiatingimpact.com
15 year old Simeon - from voice acting to podcast editing for pay
Jonathan and Simeon describe Simeon's journey through talent development, beginning with an interest in voice acting and progressing through video and podcast editing, and sound design. Get inspired!
Zoom Call with Jonathan and Renee - Sat, Aug 21st
We talk about how an Apple ad perfectly captured how a young teenager can jump-start his interest into something meaningful.
Zoom Call with Jonathan and Renee - Sat, Aug 14th
More examples of how your child can use an interest to bring value to others.
Zoom Call with Jonathan and Renee - Sat, Aug 7th
30 specific examples of how your child can use an interest to bring value to others.
Zoom Call with Jonathan and Renee - Sat, July 31st
We talked about how your child can develop their own strong confident voice by using their talent development as the basis for clear communication.
Zoom Call with Jonathan and Renee - Sat, July 24th
Ideas on how to leverage the curriculum you are about to order so that it serves the goals of creating talent, passion, and inner motivation in your teenage son or daughter.
PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH JOSHUA SHEATS
Listen to a full 1.5 hour interview of my philosophy of talent building in children by Joshua Sheats of the Radical Personal Finance podcast. He interviewed me the first time several years ago and this is a follow up in August 2020 as to where we are with the Parent Their Passion method today. I hope you enjoy it and get inspired to apply some the ideas with your own children!
Ask us! VIDEOS
There's a process to building motivation in your children. Start with an interest, be intentional about the interests, and as your child pursues it, it quickly turns into a marketable and useful talent. Start young so that by the time your child turns 16 years old, doors open and opportunities begin! Start with the basics: choose a viable interest.