Stephanie Haynes

Linda, Listen to Me! — SonjaMCoaching

Struggling to get your teen to listen to you? Check out this brief article for some helpful strategies!

Linda, Listen to Me! — SonjaMCoaching Several years ago, a mischievous little boy became an internet sensation as he was caught in the act of sneaking a pre-dinner cupcake. The attempted bakery-item-theft was never caught on camera but his interaction with the adult who caught him was, and his response was hilarious.

Linda, Listen to Me! — SonjaMCoaching

I often have conversations with parents about getting their teens to listen to them.
This is a tough season; we as parents often believe we know what our teens should do, and they believe we don’t. This “opposing viewpoints” approach to conversations with our teens can cause a lot of arguing and dissolve our relationships.

In this brief article, my friend and mentor Sonja Miller Meyrer shares some excellent advice for establishing a healthy communication strategy with not only our teens, but others in our lives with whom we may struggle.

Linda, Listen to Me! — SonjaMCoaching Several years ago, a mischievous little boy became an internet sensation as he was caught in the act of sneaking a pre-dinner cupcake. The attempted bakery-item-theft was never caught on camera but his interaction with the adult who caught him was, and his response was hilarious.

I feature my nephew and sister’s story in my book College is Not Mandatory so this is really exciting news to share!!

Cody struggled with academics in school and, because he wasn’t sure he could get into college, he struggled with his worth and had no idea what to do.

We had several conversations and he voiced his disappointment that he didn’t believe he could achieve his goal to be a paramedic, something that requires a college degree.

He didn’t know there are alternative pathways to achieve that goal besides a 4-year college right after high school.

We reviewed the programs at his local comminity college and built a pathway that gave him all the tools he needed to succeed, including courses he could start in high school.

He could even get to play baseball, something he thought he could only do at a 4-year college.

Yesterday he completed his first major step.

With no debt.

Fully confident in his abilities and leading his class in academics and skills.

One decision to let go of convention in favor of the values, passions , and aptitudes of a person can change a life ❤️

From my sister:
“Huge congratulations to Cody on graduating from his EMS class today. EMT certified and set to take the NatReg to become an EMT. Next steps, graduation in spring 2023 with AA and fire degree and then starting the fire academy in May. Very proud mama🥰👨‍🚒

The holiday season brings all sorts of fun gatherings of family and friends.

But it can be stressful to face family and friends for teens who don’t have a post graduation plan.

The ever-present questions of “What are you going to do after high school?” Or “What college are you going to?” Or even “who’s recruting you?” Can dampen the fun of any event.

To keep the fun and enjoyment in each gathering, give your teen permission to reply to any question about post-graduation plans with one (or more) of the following:

1. I’m not really focusing on any of that during my break. How have things been with you?
2. I‘m not really sure, what did you do after your high school graduation?
3. I don’t have a clear answer yet. If you were in my shoes how would you go about choosing a career?
4. I‘m working on a few things. How did you decide what to do after high school?
5. I‘m weighing all my options. Were you an athlete after high school? What was the recruiting process like for you?

These, of course, can be mixed around to fit the question/situation.

The biggest thing is to give your teen permission to ask questions about the person they’re talking to you rather than having to feel like they have to give all the information.

This has two bonuses: it gives our teens a chance to get out of the hot seat, and exposes them to life choices of their family and friends they may not have otherwise been aware of.

As for you, remember your success as a parent is not determined on whether or not your teen has a plan right now for post graduation. It’s not even dependent upon what school they get into or whether or not they get get recruited for a sport. Nor os it dependent on whenter others agree with your teens choices or plans.

Instead, focus on talking about all of the amazing things your teen is just by being a simple high school student.

What other advice do you have to share?

Image: our daughter’s graduation from cosmetology school in November💇🏻‍♀️

Good morning!

NEW FREE RESOURCE OUT NOW!!
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Sometimes talking with your non responsive teen is hard.. but not impossible. Check out these few conversation starters to get then opening up about their future. Link in my bio!

As of October 1 I will be transitioning to using social media only for fun, and sparingly at that.

To get all the support, free resources, and updates about how to best help you teen build a post-graduation pathway to a successful career, sign up for my newsletter!

Parents: https://www.stephaniehaynes.net/parentsubscribeform

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The Power of Open Mindedness with Chad Vail

This month I did a video series called the Power of... with CCSD Career & Technology Education Work-Based Learning Partnerships Coordinator Vail of the CTE Support Team for CCSD and
Doors to Dream director Sam Clements.

Check out the Power of Open Mindedness in post-high school planning today!

The Power of Open Mindedness with Chad Vail What happens when you break the current mold of success and allow students to explore all their options without limitation? Massive success for ALL students!

High school students have a strong shot at success with career technical education: 'A win-win'

Check out this news story (via Fox News ) about the amazing opportunities of CTE in todays high schools.
If you’re in the Charleston County School District Human Resources our CCSD Career & Technology Education Centers for Advanced Studies are AMAZING resources for career preparation and training and Trident Technical Colleges Youth Apprenticeships program is leading the nation.
All of us should encourage teens to explore their schools CTE courses as potential career fields.

High school students have a strong shot at success with career technical education: 'A win-win' Career technical education (CTE) can be a strong pathway for high schoolers interested in health care, agricultural skills and more, according to those involved in such programs.

What do you do when your teen says “I don’t know what I want to do after high school.”? How do you handle their anxiety and fears?
1. Assure them they will find their way to a successful career.
2. Explore the 16 career clusters with them. Eliminate those they are uninterested in. ( https://careertech.org/career-clusters )
3. Look into the ones they are interested in one at a time, listing potential careers.
4. Dig deeper into each of those careers: training/education, experience, projected growth, salary averages, and companies to work for.
5. Have your teen set up informational interviews with someone at the company: start with HR. This is a great way to really learn more.
6. Reach out to friends/family/community groups to ask if anyone is in that career field and connect them with your teen.
7. Repeat the process until your teen feels they have at least one viable option.
8. Then begin to research how to train, get educated, and build experience.

Eventually they will be able to see their pathway through the forest or opportunities!

Stephanie Haynes - Parenting for the Future

Have a child and want to help them develop a post-high school plan they’re excited about? Take a listen to my podcast conversation on Parenting for the Future Podcast with Petal Modeste where we discuss how to start the conversation and coach them through the process from any age!

Stephanie Haynes - Parenting for the Future Stephanie Haynes discusses her new book, College is Not Mandatory: A Parent's Guide to Navigating all the Options Available to Our Kids After High School.

I would love to chat with you! The link is in my bio!

The link is in my bio!

This school year is going to be amazing!

That’s what I’ve been repeating in my head over and over.

It’s forced me to look for goodness, for opportunities to call out greatness, for ways to encourage and support others.

Last year was a tough year. So were the 2 years before that. We can’t change that.

We can change how we look at this upcoming year though.

We can see it through the lens of frustration, weariness, disappointment, and uncertainty.

Or, we can see it with hope and encourage each other and our kids to look for the positive, acknowledge when things didn’t meet expectations, and then learn to examine each circumstance for the opportunities it presents.

This school year has to be better for all our mental health, and we can influence it by our behavior, attitude, choices, and how we treat each other, our kids, their teachers, and the school staff we encounter.

May you choose with me to spread positivity this year! ❤️

High school is an important time for our teens! Learn how to make the most of it through the linktree in my bio!

As we enter a new school year, here are a few thoughts on how to help your teen be successful:

1. Ask your teen how they hope this year goes (don’t ambush them… wait for an opening). What do they want to accomplish?

2. Schedule a family conversation with your teen to establish expectations for things like grades, curfew, finances, and family time. Ask for their input and talk together as a family. Allow their input to be heard and implemented fairly.

3. Ask your teen how they want you to support them. Do they want your help with schoolwork, keeping on top of their calendar, etc? Or, do they want you to wait until they come to you?

4. Commit to being a guide, not a problem solver/fixer. When they complain about a grade or an assignment, put the responsibility on them to problem solve, guiding them by asking them questions like: how do you think this assignment needs to be completed? What is the teacher asking you to do? What do you need to do differently next time to improve? What help do you need?

Success in high school cannot be created by parents, it has to be established by our teens otherwise it’s not theirs. Their ideas of success may be different from ours. That’s OK! They have to have the chance to learn for themselves what success is, and we have the honor of teaching them how.

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Inspiring SC Educators and Business leaders to reimagine the culture of success in our high schools and break the one-size-fits-all mold of college-for-all.

Link in my linktree!!
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My episode on Stand Up and Stand Out Podcast with is out! Its available on all podcast platforms & YouTube! Check it out and let me know what you think!

First morning in the new house! ❤️

We are SO close!! Deep breathing all. day. long as we create a final punch list, pack, and wait for a CO 🤞🏻 I hope it comes on Friday as expected so when the movers come we have a place to send all our stuff! 😬

HE IS RISEN!

Happy and ! You two are the best siblings! (And yes, I’m that mom🤣)

Teachers are burned out. Students are unmotivated. Parents are frustrated. WHATS WRONG WITH OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM? Tune in tonight at 5pm est and let’s talk all about it!

👉🏼GOING LIVE TONIGHT! 5pm est. with . We’re going to talk all about burnout so if you’re feeling it come on and join us! I promise you’ll leave feeling better!

Here’s a reason why today’s teens (and many of us) struggle with motivation: the pandemic removed the once-secure foundation of post-graduation planning. How do we combat it? We need to help them with a success re-set. Learn how by reading my new blog! Link in my bio!

The next chapter of my skills development has begun! In 120 hours I’ll be able to be certified!

I have special services specifically for educators and I would love to talk with you! I also have a free download for you! Head over to the educators tab on my website for your copy!

Is your teen overwhelmed with trying to decide what to do after high school? Does your teen lack the motivation to identify a post-graduation plan? Are you struggling to get through to them?
Consider checking out my Post-High School Pathway development program! Head to the “Parents” tab of my website to learn more!

Grateful for the opportunity to record a “Equipping Teens to Build a Successful Future On Their Own Terms” presentation today with The Charter Support Unit of Building Hope!

I have a new series!! This Monday, March 7th at 5 I will be going live to tell you all about what I’ve been working on and why this is so important to me. See you Monday!

Schedule for my Instagram lives!!
Every week I will be hosting a live with some special guests!