While living in the 21st century is a dream and a gift, it isn’t for parents who want to raise a God-fearing and outstanding child or children.

There are opinions everywhere with the intent of confusing and misleading children. It has become difficult now, more than ever to raise God-fearing kids.

The social media hasn’t helped issues, although there are religious, moral and educational groups online, unscrupulous elements are taking over everywhere. There are so subtle you wouldn’t know when your child buys into their idea and becomes like them too.

How do you raise outstanding kids?

The following are simple ways of raising kids who are high flyers and are outstanding among their peers and contemporaries.

1. Be the model they need

First, you must be an ideal person you want your kids to be like. You might have made mistakes in the past which you do not want them to repeat, but you must make conscious effort to first, exhibit characters you want from them. Kids are smart, and they copy a lot. They would mirror your characters and become a replica of you if you are a worthy role model for them.

2. Make God your standard:

Raising godly kids in the 21st century is extremely tricky. If you do not surrender to God, you would be building castles in the air. There are things you might want or desire, but just can’t pull off, remember to pray for them. When you have an issue at hand, first think of what Jesus would do in your shoes. You can’t go wrong if God is your standard.

3. Pray for them:

You should have a SHOP. Hold on, I don’t mean you have to start selling. SHOP is an acronym for Sweet Hour of Prayer. Concerning your kids, you have to stand tall on your knees. Do no neglect the role of prayer in their lives (yours too). You must continually pray without ceasing.

4. Talk with them:

Your children need someone to talk to too. Be their confidant. Don’t wait till he/she finds another confidant outside of your home (who doesn’t fit in with your philosophy). You must know the issues and challenges facing your kids, from school, the neighborhood, church or wherever they constantly visit. Share in their ups and downs, know their pain and challenges.

5. Know their teachers:

To further get closer to your kids, it is important you know their teachers in their school on a personal level.  Their teachers will inform you of the issues your kids are having, possible solutions and then they will also help you be a watch in school for the kids.

6. Know their friends:

Friends are one of the biggest influence in the lives of kids. If you want the best for your kids, encourage them to bring their friends home for you to know them on a personal level. Knowing as many friends (if not all) of your teens will help you know when they are going out of track and then you can guide them back. It would be almost impossible that a friend of a drug user would not start using drugs too, so you must know your kid’s friends.

The few tips above are very important if you must raise children who would stand out from the crowd and be a high flyer as you desire.  

Abuse is simply using things inappropriately. There are various types of abuse, we all know of drug or substance abuse, but what many people don’t talk about is smartphone abuse.

Smartphone abuse like other forms of abuse is using tech or gadgets beyond what is expected. When you abuse tech, you get addicted to it and disconnected from the world. This can lead to loneliness and depression.

How teenagers abuse tech

Teenagers abuse tech in several ways and this have adverse effects in every other area of their lives. In their relationship with others, and even their mental health is affected.

1. Excess use of the social media:

Many teenagers stay on Facebook, twitter etc. for longer than is expected. The social media life disconnects them from the reality of their environment and can even make them feel depressed.

2. Sexting:

Many teenagers get involved in sending pictures (of themselves or others) which are explicit or sexually suggestive. Some teens do not know, this could become a criminal offence. When you share pictures or possess pictures which are sexual (in anyway) belonging to you or to someone else, it could be regarded as child pornography and could be sued for it.  Sharing these photos with someone in another state can get you charged with a federal felony.

There are also non legal consequences of sexting, which include the emotional trauma of the victim, and the guilt which you will feel when caught.You must be careful what you upload and download.

3. Texting and driving:

Teens who can drive also abuse tech gadgets by texting while driving. We all know the implication of doing this. It is important you focus while driving so you wouldn’t lose concentration which can result in an accident.

There are many other examples of smartphone abuse. But the following are the causes of smartphone abuse.

One of the causes is peer pressure. Many teens do not want to look inferior to others (especially when it involves their friends), so they do everything to keep up with the trend.

Another reason is that of a lack of focus. Let’s face it, Mark Zuckerberg didn’t use Facebook as a teenager, until he was nineteen.

As a teenager, your career should be top of your priority list. No one is saying you shouldn’t have fun, but it must be within a reasonable limit.

Effect of smartphone abuse

There are effects in the excessive use of social media and tech in general, and one of the numerous effects is Depression. When you are too involved in the use of social media, your iPad, etc. you get disconnected from the real world. You’d want to return to Facebook or Twitter (or whichever you prefer to use) at any slight opportunity.

How to overcome smartphone abuse

Don’t touch your phone first thing in the morning. Many teens would reach for their devices once they wake up for their iPhones and smart devices. They’d end up spending more time than they wished to in checking their newsfeed, twitter, email etc.

Touch your phone less. The average American touches his phone about 80 times a day. Do your best to limit this number.

In conclusion, smartphone abuse results in depression, loneliness, sadness, fake lifestyle etc. To avoid these, you must reduce how you use tech devices.

The teenage period of any individual is the time most part of their life is formed and takes shape (so to say). When you miss your path as a teenager, it could take a long time to fix and get it back on track.

When you form positive habits, you are able to express yourself in various ways and you get freedom. What are the habits or characters that can make a teen successful? You’d get to see them in this post, and without any ado, let’s get to it.

Habits of a successful teen

The following are what successful teen’s exhibits. They learn these either by themselves or see it in their models and pick it up.

1. Optimism:

A successful teen sees the bright side of everything. It doesn’t matter the situation, a successful teen believes in the best even though he prepares for the worst. The saying is true, “plan for the best, but be prepared for the worst”. This is the case with successful youths.

While being optimistic, you must not lose touch with the reality, you must be objective. Knowing fully well what is expected to be done for certain things to occur. Being optimistic does and cannot take the place of planning and hard work.

2. Risks

Risks are not restricted to those in their 40’s or 50’s only, neither is it restricted only to those in business. Registering for a professional exam which you know you stand no chance is a risk. Giving up on a relationship which isn’t taking you anywhere is a risk, doing anything which is uncertain is a risk. Mark Zuckerberg took the risk of leaving Harvard, he was only 19. That is a risk. Bill Gates left the same Harvard, which was a huge risk too. Mark was later conferred a doctorate degree by the same Harvard, that was his risk paying off.

Your risk might not be to leave college (that might be too “RISKY”, lol), but you know what risk you should take to achieve your dreams, don’t wait, plan, strategize, and take the risk.

3. Dreams, goals and action.

Successful teens have dreams and goals. They dream in their head and crystalize their dreams by writing it on paper, then setting goals to achieve their dreams. Goals are what makes us chase our dreams, it is a plan with a deadline. When you dream, without setting goals, you have only dreamt, and nothing more. You must be willing to chase your dream. The Wright brothers dreamt of a way humans can float in the air like birds do, and they went to work to realize their dreams. You must start working on your dreams right now. You must start taking action. That is the difference between a daydreamer and an achiever.

These three things can make the difference in your life. As a teen, you might be attracted to the success of others, but to achieve your own success and inspire other people, you must start working on your dream right away. Seek help if you must, but do not waste any more time, because there is just no time to waste dilly-dallying.