What Am I Afraid To Tell You?

What am I afraid to tell you? That’s a loaded question isn’t it? 

 

• What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their biological parent?

 

• What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their social worker?

 

• What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their foster parent?

 

• What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell their sibling or best friend?

 

• What might a youth in foster care be afraid to tell the life skills workshop facilitator?

 

The answers of course will vary depending on each individual child or young adult but put yourself in the shoes of the next young person you engage with.  What I am afraid to tell you (my blog readers) pales in comparison to the secret fears, emotions, or goals any young person in foster care may be holding inside.  You might also want to read “Is Your Teen Wearing A Mask?”.

 

I embrace my individuality but let ME share ten things I am afraid to tell you. #Don’tJudgeMe

 

1. I have quirky eating habits.  For example, I love all grapes and apples but I recently realized that I only purchase green grapes and green apples with my own money.
2. I am afraid of “being” up in the air but not afraid of heights.  I love roller coasters but I am terrified of ferris wheels.  Riding in an airplane scares me much more than taking off or landing in an airplane.  I loved visiting the Grand Canyon but don’t even mention hot air balloons.
3. I’m not shy or quiet — I will talk to anyone anywhere if I think they’re interesting.
   
4. I enjoy being alone.  I’m never bored and I never feel lonely because I really enjoy my own company.
5. I am a control freak.  Executive decisions are my specialty.  I don’t do well in disorganized environments so I jump right in to straighten things up.
6. Sometimes I don’t take my own great advice.
   
7. I cry A LOT when I watch movies and TV shows – especially at happy endings.
8. I think I was born to be a mother and social worker — the jobs fit me perfectly.
   
9. I think I’m a smart, attractive woman but, I really, really don’t like to take pictures or see myself on video or hear my own voice on audio.
   
10. I haven’t read a fiction book in over 5 years.
    

 

What are you afraid to tell me?

 

 

Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer

The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic empowerment strategies to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.