Early on in my parenting, one of the things I took on was that my role as a parent was to raise great adults, not great children. Most of the way that I parent and the decisions I have made over the years have centred around this philosophy. For me, one of the important things for my own children entering adulthood is that they know who they are and can bring their unique value to the world around them. As the workplace is somewhere we are a large portion of the week, then I believe that preparing for work is an important part of raising my own children into adults. 

This is not always easy. As most children get older, they graduate from needing us to tell them what to do. The more independent they become in an area, the more they need our coaching instead of directing. This requires asking questions and giving advice. Eventually as they become confident, then they simply need our support – standing on the sideline cheering and close enough just in case we are needed.  I am learning that in some areas my oldest seems to teeter between the coaching and the supporting phase.  Very rarely does she want my feedback or my input, which is hard for this mama if I’m honest. Instead, she would prefer to work things out herself and find her own way. Sometimes I think I’m looking in a mirror.  Sorry mum and dad!

I would say I’m not too alone in this teenage space and can see many of you parents feeling a bit helpless like me.  So, what can you do when your teenager hits this phase, and they are suddenly faced with a lot of decisions that they need to make about their future? How do we as parents support them and help them to make decisions that will help them to become a “good adult”? Ive put together some thoughts on this, both from my experience as a parent but also as an HR Manager that has experience hiring youth. I hope that some of this will give you some wisdom on what things are important to focus on as you guide your youth to the world of work and what battles are possibly not worth fighting.

Assisting Young People in Navigating Their Futures and Decision-Making:

1. Rather than asking, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Acknowledge that career paths are often non-linear. Research shows that people will change careers 7 times in their lifetime! Encourage young individuals to view decisions as the next logical step based on what they know about themselves currently, with room for change as they better understand themselves.
2. Understand that university isn't the sole path to success. High student loans and a competitive job market are prompting young people to explore various career avenues. Encourage an open-minded approach to education, considering experience and individual goals.
3. Be mindful of your attitudes towards work at home. Young people may be influenced by your views on work-related stress. Avoid passing on negative perceptions and strive to foster a positive attitude toward work.
4. Identify and nurture your child's inherent strengths, which can be a guide for their future. For instance, a child that displays high empathy may find fulfilment working with children, the elderly, or animals. Clifton Strengths has a full list of 34 strengths that you can read about to help give you more information. The test is recommended for 16 years and over which can be a great way to discover core strengths and give anyone a greater understanding of how they contribute value to the world. 
5. Be open to evolving career options. The job market is constantly changing, and seemingly unconventional careers which may seem crazy to our generation are quite viable choices. Encourage your child to evaluate their motivations and work ethic for any chosen path.

Preparing Young People for the Workplace:

1. Teach your youth what employers value most: showing up, punctuality, a willingness to work, and a positive attitude. These qualities are highly sought after and can set them up for success in the workplace.
2. Discuss different personality types and communication styles to help young individuals understand workplace dynamics and manage their expectations about people.
3. Provide insight into what to expect in the workplace. Many young people have unrealistic expectations about their roles and responsibilities and may turn their noses up to jobs like sweeping the floor. Initiate conversations to manage these expectations effectively.
4. Offer your support as an advocate for your child in the workplace. Young individuals may make mistakes as they learn. Make sure they know you're there to help and guide them, even in challenging situations like disciplinary hearings. Your presence can make a difference.



While it can be a hard time to navigate, giving your young person as many tools as possible will help make the transition easier. If like myself, you find yourself with an independent capable young person who only wants your support, consider outside help. I offer a 7-week course that helps to prepare young people for this next stage of life and am more than happy to chat to you more about this.