While at the airport recently, I watched a dad snap at his 14- year- old son. They had spotted a

famous football player on the concourse and asked for a photograph with him. But the whole

time they were with the athlete… dad publically criticized his son.

I’m sure that father was trying to get his son to “shape up.” He acted embarrassed… rather than

show pride in his son. But as I watched that scene, I could see the anger and poor self esteem

emerge from that teenage boy.

The lesson here is easy. Compliment your teenagers often in front of others, and you will give

them a reputation to live up to.

 

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