G’Day I’m Chris Hudson, the person behind Understanding Teenagers.
I have been interested in helping teenagers ever since I was one. I dropped out of my first uni degree part way through so I could study to be a youth worker because that was were my passion was.
In the decade following that decision was spent working with teenagers and their families in a variety of settings. I loved it!
One of my profound realisations during that time was just how impacted a young person is by the quality of adults in their life. So many issues teenagers deal with stem from the relationships they have with the significant adults in their lives. When a teen is getting on with their parents life gets so much easier – for everyone.
But it isn’t just parents. I saw the positive difference committed teachers, youth leaders, sporting coaches and even employers, made in shaping a young person. A teenager with a committed caring adult along side them has such a great head start in life.
After 10 years in youth work I went back to study and completed a Masters of Education, where I had the chance to learn more about adolescent development, but I also studied how adults learn. This was were the idea of Understanding Teenagers crystallized. I wanted to create an opportunity for adults from all walks of life to be trained in how to make a positive impact in a teenagers life.
Most adults want to be able relate well with teenagers, but sometimes it just gets too hard. It can feel like not matter what you do or how hard you try things with your teenager just get worse.
I have spent years studying, reading, and most importantly working with adults, to find ways to help them connect and relate in helpful ways with the teenagers in their life. And this what I do now, work with adults to help them live and work with teenagers. I love it!
As a husband and father, I am reminded nearly everyday that life often doesn’t always go to plan. Knowing the right thing to do and being able to do it aren’t always the same thing. We all need some assistance from an objective observer now and then, that’s what I hope Understanding Teenagers can provide.
Thanks for dropping by Understanding Teenagers, and please don’t hesitate to contact me to find out if I can assist you in your situation.