How to Motivate Your Teenager to Dream Big

I took my son and his friend to a Dragon’s Den competition at a local college, called Unlock Your Big Idea. We watched 9 teams compete for three $10,000 prizes. After each presentation, the boys evaluated the quality of each pitch, the business plan and the viability of each product.

These lessons are not learned from textbooks.

If your teenager shows resistance to your most excellent ideas, remember – you gave birth to him.

5. Connect your teen with a mentor

Know any older college students or young adults your teenager looks up to? Would they be willing to discuss their big dreams and steps they took to get there?

If they are a few steps ahead of your teen, they will still remember the weight of having to make big decisions about schooling and career paths. Their perspective is invaluable.

My friend’s son has offered to take my son on a personalized college visit. Tour a campus with a college artist or MOM? #nocontest

Conferences can also provide mentorship for teenagers. Research conferences together to determine if the investment is worth it. Eva Baker, teeange author at Teens Got Cents, inspires teens to reach financial goals. She shares her lifechanging experiences from attending a popular Financial Conference Expo in this article: Do Teens Need a Mentor?

Mentoring is a powerful tool to help young people take actionable steps towards their big dreams.

6. Send them to another country

No, not permanently (even if it’s tempting on a rough day)

My friend Cassandra has launched GameOnCamps.com around the world. Each of her children have travelled with her to run sport camps in the Ukraine and India for underprivileged youth who have never had the opportunity to play sports. She dreams of scholarships and Olympic medals for these youth, especially the girls. Cassandra’s children are learning to dream big as they help their Mom change lives.

Many parents suggest every high school student should visit a third-world country before graduation.

Love this video clip from these parents of Switchfoot brothers and authors of Never Say No about helping our teenagers be “pushed to the edge of themselves.”


Karen Gauvreau
Karen Gauvreau
Karen Gauvreau would gladly squeeze her four-baby-body into a cheerleading outfit if it meant you knew someone was rooting for you as a Mom. She would cartwheel for your victories and offer a pep talk when you are getting pummelled. She wants every Mom to feel understood and valuable for their sacred role. And if she makes you laugh in the process, even better. You can find her over at Lightly Frayed, parenting four boys ages 5 to 16 with hope and humour {most days}. Catch her writing at www.lightlyfrayed.com,

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