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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.
Related content: Help your teen navigate culture with a subscription to Brio magazine.
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.
Vice President, Parenting and Youth
Dr. Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical and research based principles and guidance for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith in Christ.
Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, and co-author of Focus on the Family’s Age and Stage resource, and various other resources. He is also the co-host and expert on the Focus on Parenting and the Practice Makes Parent podcasts.
For many years, he has provided families with practical, biblically-based, and research-based parenting advice on key parenting topics. He has been interviewed by various media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post and CBN, and regularly speaks on Christian radio stations and podcasts across the United States. He’s also written for various publications and is a regular speaker at retreats, conventions, family camps, online events worldwide, and on various social media channels.
Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice serving families in Colorado Springs since 2003 and has also served families as an employee of Focus on the Family since 2004.
He and his wife, Heather, love the outdoors, have been married since 1997, and love spending time with their two adult children.
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