BUILDING TRUST
Safety trumps fun!
- Appropriate supervision, ratios
- Safe driving, seat belts etc.
- “When in doubt, leave it out”
Be reliable!
- Do what you say you’ll do
- Be where you say you’ll be & on time
Keep parents in the loop!
- Consistent communication
- Be respectful
- Empathize
Set guidelines for confidentiality
- Establish with both parent and child BEFOREHAND
- Respect privacy
- Never promise to keep confidential anything that
would endanger the child’s safety or well-being
DEALING WITH CONFLICT
Be the peacemaker-greet
everyone with a smile; set a tone of peace and faith that whatever the
conflict, it will be worked out.
Listen-hear what
they have to say; take brief notes if necessary; try to determine if the
conflict is directed at you or something else (conflict at home or school???)
Be humble-admit
your mistake and apologize if you caused hurt feelings or embarrassment
Clarify
miscommunications-find out exactly what was said and done; do not assume
you know what all parties are thinking; correct any wrong information
Keep good records-if
you have a problem, document dates and specific behaviors; record facts not
feelings or opinions
Involve the teenager-let
the teen tell his/her side of the story; ask questions in a non-threatening
way; this may help parents see the problem in a new light.
Be confident-explain
your strategies and choices without abandoning your belief system; be clear
about your goals for the child.
*You should be seeking advice and seeking to learn about the
special challenges of teens, in general, and of this child in particular. Establishing a great relationship with the
parents will prevent many conflicts.
Strive to find
cooperative solutions-work together to find ways to handle the problem;
offer to have a follow-up talk and maintain consistent communication.
***Remember, the youth
ministry is a tool used to help teens love God.
Ultimately, however, parents are responsible for the spiritual training
of their children.
