Should I wear something that makes me feel comfortable or buy an outfit that will impress my friends?

Teens often need to make difficult decisions. Understanding their priorities can sometimes make these decisions a little easier. Here’s an exercise that may help.

On a series of note cards, write a list of priorities that may be important to your teen. Here are some examples:

• Having a lot of friends, being popular

• Having money

• Getting good grades

• Having a boyfriend or girlfriend

• Getting along with my family.

• Excelling at _____________ (for example, music, algebra, cheerleading, soccer)

• Looking good

• Being honest and loyal to my friends

• Having nice clothes and possessions.

Then have your teen sort the cards from most important to least important. Talk about why she put things in the order she did. Has she faced a tough situation that involved a conflict between two priorities? Perhaps this exercise might help.

Copyright © Parent Institute