My daughter Sherry and I at her Western style wedding. There is something special about a father and daughter relationship that is special. Sherry is a good daughter!

 An important word to all parents: Do not allow the world to get to your children before you have a chance to teach them in the truth of God, and also never stop loving them! One of the best pieces of advice in raising a child is, Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” I did that with my kids Chris and Sherry, and it seemed to work out good for the most part. I was not a perfect kid when I was growing up, and either were my kids, but they were pretty darn good, way better than me, and I am very proud of them both, and now they are wonderful loving young adults, and I will always love them through thick and thin. I learned that encouragement for teens is so very critical in their lives.

Encouragement For Teens…

Things That Teens Need To Hear:

1. I think you’re fantastic!
   

   This was at my house with me holding Justice and my mom and me playing with him and Sherry and Chris. 

2. I love that you never give up!
3. What you did was kind.
4. You’ve got a terrific sense of humor.
5. I see that you have a lot of inner strengths.
6. You are totally awesome!
7. You are diligent by the way you manage your time.
8. You can achieve anything you desire with God’s help.
9. You make being proud of your parent!
10. You have many great ideas!
11. I was just talking about how wonderful you are.
12. Have I told you that I am always proud of you?
13. You are a great kid!
14. I am glad you are such a great kid!
15. You do magnificent work!
16. You are very honest which is important to God.
17. You are thoughtful.
18. I like you just the way God made you.
19. I like it when you come with me when I go places.
20. Thank you for honoring me the way you do.
21. You are a very creative and exciting person.
22. You’re such a hard worker.
    

    Chris and I did a lot of things together over the years from playing basketball, football, fishing, swimming and so many other things. He had a lot of respect for me which was nice, and I think it was because he knew I loved him so much!

23. You set a great example for the other kids.
24. I’m grateful God blessed me with you.
25.  You did a great job on your homework!
26. I like how you figured that out.
27. How did you come up with that idea?
28. You’re a very handsome young man.
29. You’re an amazing girl.
30. It was good thinking.
31. You do that so well.
32. Do you know that you give the best hugs?
33. You’re very brave!
34. You’re so very smart!
35. Do you know that you’re a great person?
36. You are the kind of friend I wish I had when I was your age.
37. Wow! You’re very fast!
38. You worked hard on the job until it gets done, high five!
39. I do appreciate you so much.
40. You make me laugh!
41. I was telling the others at work how proud I am of you.
42. You did a great job cleaning your room!
43. Did you make this all by yourself? That is fantastic! 
44. You’ve got a great personality
45. It makes me happy when you’re around.
46. 

    My son Chris and my grandson Christopher and me at the Brewers game having fun together!

    You sure got what it takes!

47. You have a big heart!
48. That was a kind thing that you did.
49. I like that you are so generous.
50. I know you’re going to be successful in whatever you do in life.
51. Did you know that you have some amazing talents?
52. God created you for a very particular purpose.
53. You sure are one in a million!
54. My respect that I have for you is growing.
55. Keep working like that, and you’re going to be the best in the world!
56. You showed a lot of courage when you spoke up for yourself.
57. You make me smile quite often.
58. It takes a significant person, to be honest like you just were.
59. You’re a real go-getter!
60. You are very really polite; that is a good quality to have.
61. You are a real blessing.
62. There is nobody quite like you.
    

    My daughter Sherry and my grandson Justice on a visit to the Milwaukee County Zoo. It is always great to create good memories!

63. It’s a rare thing to find someone honest like you.
64. I have confidence that you can figure it out!
65. When you stood up for what was right, God said, “Well done!”
66. You have a gorgeous outlook on life.
67. What a great job you did!
68. You are good at seeing solutions to problems.
69. This world would be a better place if more people were like you.
70. Did you figure this out by yourself? Great job!
71. You showed me your maturity the way you reacted as you did.
72. You have many valuable skills.
73. Every parent wishes they had a kid like you.
74. I don’t know what I would do without you.
75. I love that I can rely on you.
76. Spending time with you is special to me.
77. Thank you for respecting and loving me the way you do.
78. You stood for the Truth, and that’s what Christians do!
79. You did a real Super Job!
80. Do you know that I love you a lot!

Bottom line, encouragement for teens is not optional, they need encouragement to help them grow to be healthy and adjusted young adults. If you can understand that encouragement for teens is something that can not be overlooked, then both you and the teens are in good shape. Do not be afraid to reach out to a teen family member or relative or any teen for that matter.