“The shape of your life is a result of choices made,” says the Ancient Master. A child’s capacity to make thoughtful decisions contributes to:

- their ability to cope with everyday problems - improvements in their social behavior - increased self-esteem - their development of self-confidence - their performance at school - their ability to resist peer pressure.

Kids can be taught a series of decision-making steps, which they seem to enjoy learning. Why? Because then they can handle the stresses of the real world better than their peers who have not yet been taught quality decision-making techniques.

What’s the process?

1. Help the child identify his feeling of frustration, anger, confusion, etc. 2. Have the child identify what the real problem is. 3. Help him/her decide on their goal (what outcome they desire). Note carefully that the goal is most often different from the problem. 4. With the child, brainstorm. Think of as many solutions as possible. 5. For each solution, reflect on the consequences and implications. 6. Have the child make their best choice. 7. With the child plan the implementation of the decision. 8. Try it! Then re-discuss it.

This strategy enables kids to take more control of their destiny, to feel less manipulated by the world. That sense of mastery is critical to personal growth.