Parents.  Did you know we all hold the key to raising confident, caring children? All we have to do is unlock the power of praise. Catching kids being good is at the heart of every parenting strategy you’ll find at boystown.org/parenting.  Whether you’re a parent, grandparent or guardian of a toddler, teen or someone in between, we’ve got parenting guides, articles, videos, quick tips and even live parent talks on Facebook with Boys Town experts.

So, we’re constantly investing in praising children and finding those opportunities.  It really helps them with that self-affirmation and that positive thinking. And then that really reduces their negative behavior.

The answer to discipline is praise.  Isn’t that lovely.  Who would have thought it!

Visit boystown.org/praise to receive your “10 Ways to Praise” magnet. It’s a great reminder to catch them being good, and that great parenting advice is just a click away! Love Letter

Love Letter

The concept in “Love Letter” is that many teens are depressed and confused by the recent social and political unrest.  They don’t know how they feel — or if they should “align” with any of the conflicting groups.  The final lesson is that – above all – teens need to trust in, and care about, themselves.

This spot would utilize a popular ballad called “Love Letter” by the artist Jocelyn.

The spot utilizes rotoscope animation to offer a striking depiction of teen life in this trying time.  Here, crowds challenge our hero teen (played by Jocelyn herself) as she walks among demonstrators holding signs and chanting.  Back and forth from Jocelyn to crowd scenes – we don’t see or hear specific messages – just the commotion they create.

We cut away to “live” Jocelyn performing a few emotional phrases of her piece at keyboard and guitar.

Back to animation, Jocelyn extends a reassuring hand to help a confused teen up from curb, and walks into sunset with her as her song faces out, urging teens to believe in themselves.