Joe Bruzzese's Blog
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
I thought my family was busy until I read this post from Jodie and her "Adventures in Juggling". The lives of middle schoolers and their parents can become hectic. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy the moments.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
The SportsMum, mom of three middle school age boys, shares tales of her life with the three boys as they engage fully in all life has to offer. The latest in a series of wonderful stories tells a familiar story about the shift in middle school boys from seeing Mom as their number one girl to finding romance in their second period class.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
Truly Amazing and a wonderful inspiration for all of us today. Enjoy this incredible display of talent.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
We all face the Monday morning blues at some point. The thought of driving to work on a cold winter morning is enough to keep me in bed for a few extra minutes.
When every morning begins to feel like a Monday it's time for a change.
Motivation is what you want. Here's how to find it.
Start the night before. Yes, before you call it quits for the night spend 2 minutes doing the following:
Replay the high points from your day. Recall as vividly as possible the moments you want to remember from the day. Visualizing what's best about your day puts your mind at rest and leaves you wondering how tomorrow could possibly be any better.
- Think forward the next morning. When the alarm clocks rousts you at that ungodly hour take another two minutes to the following:
- Step through your day, pausing at each moment that holds potential for excitement. Using your five senses, visualize as vividly as possible each of these moments. Skip any events in the day's timeline that you are now looking forward to. With renewed vigor for the day remove your feet from under the comfort of your covers and place them firmly on the floor. You're off and on to great things, moving closer to those anticipated moments of brilliance.
Now teach this strategy to your child. Practice it together. Share your moments of excitement with him at the breakfast table. Leave for the day having inspired each other.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
January brings change. Talk of new commitments and resolutions fill the air. Looking ahead seems to be the theme for this month.
Middle schools across the nation are looking ahead. New York city middle schools stand out in the news recently due to their highly competitive admittance process. Parents and would be applicants are encouraged to visit the school, take a tour and fill out an application.
How was your last tour experience? In many cases, parents and kids are moved through a series of stops before finally coming to rest in front of a panel of teachers, counselors and administrators. Taking a few questions about topics that could be answered in brochure provides families with little information in which to make a decision.
How about inviting applicants and parents to a series of school events throughout the year? Applicants might be required to attend three events before being invited to an orientation event in the spring.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
As a coach, teacher and parent I have been privy to more than my share of parents who love to tell stories. Stories, not of their own accomplishments but of their child's. Taking pride in your child and in her achievements is wonderful. Replacing the word, "her" with "our" though takes pride to a different place.
Living vicariously strips a child of his identity. On the soccer field I shared countless discussions with father and son where the son did little, if any, talking about what he wanted. Dad had an unfinished list of achievements. His son had become the instrument to achieve these goals.
Eventually, for most of the children I have come to know, Mom and Dad come to realize that their past accomplishments (or lack thereof) need not become a burden for their child. The sooner a parent comes to this realization, the sooner his child can truly develop into a person with unique interests and talents.
Imagine a parent's delight in discovering their child's talent in area where they would have least expected. Together parent and child get to experience something new.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
You probably remember the first days back in school after a long holiday. The dread of returning to face your sixth period science teacher. Will the year ever end?
Now as a parent your kids sort through the same emotions. The difference between you and your child: they can't see the end. When you are in the middle of a challenge to renew motivation it takes someone or something to ignite the fire again.
Parents can be the catalyst that inspires a renewed interest in middle school life. Focus on the highlights of your child's first semester. Conversations that build on past achievements often serve to motivate future action. Steer clear of what needs to be fixed or changed. Your child is well aware of where they failed to meet expectations. Your continued focus on these deficits only serves to deepen their belief that change is futile.
Look to the future as a time to build on the past. Share stories of your own achievements and their connection to where you are now. The adolescent mind is focused on the here and now. With a little help they can see beyond today. You may be the light that helps them see the end of the tunnel.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
With the new year now in full swing have you made time to plot a path for the future?
Will your vision look like it did last year?
What goals do you plan to achieve on route to realizing your vision?
How will you inspire your adolescent or teen in the year ahead?
What role do you want to play in their life for years to come?
Now is the time to answer these questions. This year brings you one closer to the last one you will spend with your teen. Yes, eventually he will move out. Where do you hope your child will be when that day comes?
Start here. Start today.
Posted by Joe Bruzzese
A recent article looks at a few ways you can engage with your kids about drug and alcohol. The key is to start now and have the tough conversation before it becomes an unbearable one. Equipping your child with tools that will allow him to fend off unwanted invitations to use is a lot easier than trying to scramble for a "cure" when he is deep into drug abuse.
Statistics from a recent study support the need to start a conversation now with your child.
The Aspen group also has a wonderful resource if you are looking for expert resources on the topic of drug and alcohol use with teens and adolescents.