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Lots of parents see the new year as a time they can help make a shift in their family, and they’re right! The new year is the perfect chance to take a look at your parenting and see if there are changes you might like to make.

Around Thanksgiving, many of us turn our minds to what we are grateful for, and for parents and caregivers, that often leads us to ask a few questions.

You are not alone. Raising young people takes a group effort and everyone—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, friends, clergy, coaches—play an important role. There are people, places, and resources everyone can turn to when help is needed to support young people.

Research shows that young people who are optimistic about the future have better relationships with their parents, increased self-esteem, and decreased emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, early sexual activity, and violence.

When young people think today about what they want to accomplish in their lives, it shapes their sense of purpose. Each and every young person has something unique to offer the world.

Teach young people the values and actions that will build genuine self-esteem, including caring, giving, treating others with kindness and tolerance, and always doing your best in school and other activities.

When young people feel empowered, they feel more confident to make their own choices—to get good grades, participate in activities they enjoy, and take action to find solutions to problems.

People who have a strong, positive sense of self maintain these qualities even when difficulties arise. They continue to be hopeful and optimistic, and believe they can make a difference.

Research shows that young people who resolve conflicts peacefully do better in school, have higher self-esteem, and are less likely to use alcohol and other substances.

Learning resistance is one of the most important social skills to develop. With these skills in hand young people make appropriate decisions and stand firm in what they believe.

Although most people gravitate toward people who are similar to themselves, it’s important to expose young people to a variety of cultures and people. People from different cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds can learn many things from one another.

Research shows that young people who have empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills are more likely to grow up healthy and avoid risky behaviors, such as violence and alcohol and other drug use.

Young people make a lot of decisions every day. All of these decisions are good practice for their future as they learn how to take more control of their lives.

Social competencies are the skills and life perspectives young people need to develop into healthy, competent adults. These skills are important daily, but they’re even more crucial when young people encounter the tough times in life.

Work with young people to focus on long-term outcomes—not just on the moment. Helping them to internalize and stand up for their personal values also makes it easier for them to practice restraint and withstand negative peer pressure.

Following rules is important, but is doing as you’re told enough? To become strong, upstanding, and successful adults, possessing a personal desire to be responsible is also significant.

Although telling the truth is not always easy, teaching young people the value of honesty, is important. Honesty is crucial for success in all areas of life, including relationships, school, and jobs.

Anytime young people draw on their inner spark of courage and act based on their values, they have integrity. The best way to teach integrity to young people may be to practice and model it yourself.

Young people who are concerned about equality and reducing hunger and poverty may not know what life is like for those who suffer these conditions, but they do understand it’s important to care for people—all people.

It’s important for young people to be involved in both direct and indirect caring. Direct help is when you spend time and interact with people who need care. Indirect help is when you collect money, food, or other items to give to people who distribute the items to those in need.

You are what you believe Values shape young people’s relationships, behaviors, choices, and sense of who they are. Although positive values help young people avoid

Reading for fun teaches young people how to become strategic, skilled readers. They learn the difference between reading for a test and reading for pleasure. They learn when to read carefully or skim, ask questions or consult a dictionary.

Research shows that young people who care about their school are less likely to be involved in violence or the use of alcohol and other drugs. They also are more likely to become good leaders, value diversity, and succeed in school.

In addition to reaching academic goals, doing homework teaches young people to follow directions, manage their time, and work on their own.

Help young people understand that academics are just part of the education they must complete to successfully attain goals.

Doing well academically doesn’t have to mean getting straight A’s or being the valedictorian. It does mean doing their best work and caring about their performance, whether they’re creating an art portfolio or writing an essay.

Instilling Commitment to Learning involves a combination of values and skills that include the desire to succeed in school, a sense of the lasting importance of learning, and a belief in one’s own ability.

Young people learn by example and repetition. Model and explain how your own behavior upholds the values and beliefs you—and your family—have.

Research shows spending quality time together as a family helps young people strengthen skills such as leadership, good health, and success in school.

Young people who spend at least one hour a week involved in activities within a faith-based organization are more likely to: provide service to others, enjoy youth programs, follow and provide positive peer influence, and exercise restraint when it comes to risky behaviors.

Research shows that young people who regularly spend time in sports, clubs, or other youth programs have higher self-esteem and better leadership skills, and are less likely to feel lonely.

Being creative—singing, playing the piano, drawing, or acting—can be fun, and helps young people improve basic and advanced thinking skills.

Research shows that young people are more likely to grow up healthy when they have opportunities to learn new skills and interests through both structured and unstructured activities.

When caring adults show they believe in young people and help them reach their potential, youth are better able to do just that. Express your expectations to young people as a hope you hold for them.

The power to be positive Too often, people jam the words peer and pressure together and think of it as a bad thing. Truth is,

Young people look up to adults. They see you—especially if you’re a parent—as the type of person they want to become someday. They want heroes. That’s why it’s so important to be the best person you can be.

Everyone is someone’s neighbor. Young people benefit from knowing their neighbors are looking out for their safety, as well as monitoring their behavior.

All schools need rules. In fact, young people actually learn better when school boundaries—expectations for how they should act—are clear and consistent.

Rules and expectations are important. They help establish the do’s and don’ts for society and help things run smoothly. But rules are not automatically known; they must be created and learned.

Every day young people face many options and choices. Boundaries and expectations provide young people with the support they need to choose wisely.

Young people who feel safe are more likely to feel secure enough to try new things. That’s why safety is an important part of feeling empowered.

To many young people, the world is small. But when young people start to reach out and help others, their world grows and so does their confidence.

The ways people express ideas, energy, and insights make each person unique. Helping young people find their voices is one of the best ways to help them be a positive force in their families, schools, clubs, teams, or neighborhoods.

As young people grow older, they quickly sense where they are wanted and where they aren’t. Do the young people around you have opportunities to participate, serve, lead, and make decisions within the community?

Feeling valued and appreciated is important to all of us. For young people, this means feeling safe and believing they’re liked and respected. These feelings can go a long way toward empowering children and youth.

Young people need their parents to stay actively involved in their education throughout middle and high school. Research shows that young people are more likely to grow up healthy when their parents are involved in their education.

Research shows that young people who go to school where the environment feels caring and encouraging get better grades, have healthier relationships, get into less trouble, and are interested in and better able to reach their dreams.

Research shows that young people are more likely to grow up healthy if they live in a community with caring neighbors. The key is to create a safe haven in which young people feel loved, supported, and understood.

Research shows that young people who have three or more caring adults who support them feel happier and more hopeful, do better in school, and are less likely to rely on drinking, smoking, or drugs to feel good or fit in.

Because of Raising Highly Capable Kids, Rani — a former drug addict struggling with homelessness — was able to get back custody of her son.

Since 2019, KICKO (Knoxville Inner City Kids Outreach) has been a community partner utilizing our Raising Highly Capable Kids program in bold ways.

Clare was a single mom suffering from family violence in her home. Raising Highly Capable Kids offered a place where Clare could be heard but also where she could learn healthy principles of growth for her children.

Maria was raising her grandchildren because both of their parents were incarcerated. Because of her strong interest and deep need, I said yes.

RezilientKidz is expanding in Wisconsin with rising partnerships with schools, businesses, faith organizations, and Marquette University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

Kids want cellphones to connect with peers, build friendships and find a sense of belonging. When is the best time for them to get their first mobile device?

As much as we’d like to think of our children as innocent, we parents need to become aware of the widespread use of pornography among tweens and teens.

any people, my thought bubbles can get filled with negative stuff, especially when I’m worried or anxious. For a lot of us, the coronavirus has created some new anxieties and concerns.

Like moms, dads bring their own unique and essential “superpowers” to the home. What “dad skills” might be considered superpowers, and how can dads exercise and improve them?