Gail Kasper

Gail Kasper a resident of New Jersey is an internationally renowned motivational strategist and in the top 10% of motivational speakers in the United States.

Most recently, Gail Kasper, motivational strategist and author, has been selected from a nationwide search to be featured in the 10th Anniversary Edition of Mission Possible; a highly successful book series from Tennessee based Insight Publishing. The book features best-selling authors Stephen R. Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) and Brian Tracy (Turbo Strategies).

Gail is the former Mrs. New Jersey America 2002 and has co-hosted the Emmy award-winning America’s TV JobNetwork (airing on CBS and Fox). She currently hosts The Visitor’s Channel. Coupling a business degree with psychology studies Gail is a nationally recognized certified trainer.

Here are some back to school suggestions from Gail.

1. Recognize strengths. When we recognize a child’s strengths, he continues to build on them and this builds confidence in him. Reminding our youth about their talents, special skills, and beautiful qualities will make them feel good about themselves.

2. Set boundaries. USA Today reports that researchers with Synovate market research firm surveyed 1,000 parents with children ages 12 to 30 and found that 43% of parents say they want to be their child's best friend. Some families do not enforce homework or chores. Knowing that lack of discipline prevents us from achieving, this behavior can result in a negative outcome and prevent our children from establishing good habits. There are rules in society, in school, in work, and we must reinforce rules at home.

3. Offer constructive feedback. When a child falters in a sport or in school, telling them what to do can sound like criticism. Instead, give the “positives” first, and then offer suggestions on how they may improve.

4. Demonstrate a value system. If you lie, expect that your children will lie; if you cheat, expect that your children will cheat. We are a product of our environment, to some extent, and we must not only teach our children between right and wrong, but we must demonstrate that behavior.

5. Encourage leadership. Whether that means standing up for a friend or sibling against peer pressure or looking out for themselves, encourage your child to say what he really thinks.

6. Support their goals. I asked over 600 high school students what is the one thing that they want most from their parents. Their response: “support for their goals.” As parents, we want our children to have a safe life. As parents, we establish ceiling barriers of what we believe is possible to achieve. There is one thing more important than any goal or task and that is your child. When you believe in him, the rest will take care of itself.

7. Have fun. As parents we have to work and take care of the home. We tend to focus on the chores that need to be completed, the schoolwork that needs to get done, developing in sports, and we work with our children to excel in these areas. It’s important that a child sees that you can have fun together outside of these arenas - that you LIKE them for who they are. Having fun in areas where you don’t instruct or offer suggestions that might be heard as criticism will promote a positive relationship for you and your child.

8. Communicate. Keep the lines of communication open. We cannot control what other children say or do, but we can open the eyes and minds of our children between what is right and what is wrong. Children do think … and hiding from the issues does not erase them.