Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson encourages teens to take five seconds before making decisions that could change their lives . . . and she got it right. Here’s why.
“Duck Dynasty’s” Sadie Robertson got it right in her life hack for teens: Five seconds of good judgment can prevent a lifetime of regret.
When teens do stop to think, they are better able to say “no” in these difficult situations: getting into a car with someone who has been drinking; drinking when hanging out with friends; letting your date influence how far you’ll go physically; not following God’s lead to help and serve others; and gossiping with friends.
As parents, you can reinforce this idea by helping your teens make moral decisions based on thought rather than emotion. Encouraging kids to pause and think before responding has long-lasting merit. This is super difficult, though, because teen emotions tend to influence many of their decisions.
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Teens should visualize an actual, physical pause button and know why they are pushing it. It’s like learning a new skill; you need to know why you are learning it first. As Sadie mentions in her video, there is a moment of awkwardness, but as teens use this skill more, it becomes more natural to do.
Remember, certain personalities will do this better than others. Find fun and creative ways to celebrate when your preteen or teen uses the pause idea, whether it’s the five-second rule or any other positive way to make a better decision. Then celebrate these choices. Celebrations can be as simple as a genuine high-five or fist bump.
Visit Sadie’s website Live Original.
Dr. Daniel Huerta is Vice President of Parenting and Youth for Focus on the Family, overseeing the ministry’s initiatives that equip moms and dads with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith.
He is a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, and the author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting. For many years, he has provided families with practical, biblically-based and research-based parenting advice on topics including media discernment, discipline, communication, mental health issues, conflict resolution, and healthy sexuality in the home. He is passionate about coming alongside parents as they raise contributors, instead of consumers, in a culture desperately in need of God’s kingdom.
Dr. Huerta has been interviewed by various media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, and CBN, and he is a frequent guest on Christian radio stations across the nation. He’s also written for publications, including The Washington Post, on various topics related to marriage and parenting. He participated in the development of Focus on the Family’s Launch Into the Teen Years, a resource to help parents prepare their kids for adolescence, and he speaks regularly at retreats, conventions, and online events.
Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 2003 and has served families through Focus on the Family since 2004. He and his wife, Heather, have been married since 1997 and love being parents to their three teen children, Alex, Lexi, and Maci.
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