High school can be rough on parents. You know your kids and you know what they are capable of, both good and bad. Their actions rarely surprise you. Do you share with your children that you disapprove of bad choices or do you keep it to yourself because you want them to know they are accepted?

Look, in school they experience rejection. You can’t shelter your kids from that, but you can prepare them. As a parent, it’s important to create a home environment where they are accepted and loved unconditionally. But that home also needs to teach them that bad decisions have consequences.

Acceptance and approval are NOT the same thing. To transition into healthy adults your high schooler needs to learn how to recognize rejection vs. disapproval and how to deal with both.

People love to watch rejection

People love to watch rejection, turn to any reality show to see this fact. While rejection pays the cable bills no one wants to be the one rejected. High schoolers often feel that all eyes are on them and so when they are rejected by one it feels as if they are rejected by all.

What people think isn’t what matters.

Rejection in life happens. The truth is if we never experience rejection then we aren’t truly putting ourselves out there and going for our dreams. It hurts, but that moment you reach your dream the rejection before becomes part of the victory story.

Being rejected does not negate your value!

The opinion that does matter

Jesus accepts you for exactly who you are regardless of what you do. Every person is accepted because they are beautifully and wonderfully made. We are all made in the image of God.

Let me repeat that. We are ALL made in the image of God. No matter what you do, who you are, who your family is, what team you root for, what your sexual identity is, who you are dating or not dating… ALL are made in the image of God.

Jesus’ opinion is the only opinion that truly matters. And He loves us no matter what.

Acceptance and approval aren’t the same thing

Acceptance happens regardless of who you are. Jesus accepts everyone, no one is rejected. Acceptance and approval are not the same thing. One can be accepted without receiving approval for their actions.

As parents, you won’t always approve of everything your kid does. In the same way, God does not approve of every decision you and I make, but we are still loved. Disapproval should never coincide with rejection.

Find out more

Velocity is a safe place for your high school student. We are working hard to create a safe space for your kids to come exactly as they are. We want them to feel safe and comfortable to be different, to ask questions and to search for answers.

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