High School is very different than when you were that age. The pressures are stronger and the stakes seem much higher. You want to help your teenagers do their best, but how?

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to a Learning Friendly Kid’s Room, Part 3: 9th-12th Grade.

Your Feng Shui Master - 17 and oh, so serious

Feng Shui will help your teenager in school and in life, but here’s a surprise for you. You’re probably not going to be able to do much in his or her room. By this age you’re dealing with an (almost) adult and changing their room will be more like negotiating with a foreign country. You’ll win some discussions and lose most arguments.

Basic Facts:

• You’re not the boss. (Sorry.)
• Your teenager is the boss, but he or she stills help and guidance.
• Feng Shui changes won’t work in their room if they’re not “on board” or at least open. Forced Feng Shui changes won’t create positive results.

Don’t despair, though. There’s a lot you can do to help, even if you can’t “help” their room.

Where to start:

First, despite what I just said, try for changes in their room. Just remember the Rule of Yin and Yang: You can’t tell them what to do (Yang), but you certainly can make suggestions (Yin).

Talk with them about some important spots to open the ch’i or energy flow:

• Clear under bed
• Clear door way with nothing behind the door
• Good task lighting for their work area

OK, I’ve tried all that. Now what?

Worry not. No matter how the negotiations went about changing your teen’s room, you still have a secret Feng Shui weapon! It’s time to bring your love and Feng Shui power to the Knowledge area of your house (and that grumpy teenager never even has to know you’re helping their ch’i grow).

To find the Knowledge gua or area we use the Bagua or energy map. Stand in the door way of your house and look in. The corner to the far left of you is the Knowledge gua (if your front door is to the far left of the house, you’re already in the Knowledge area).

I found it! What do I do?

What do you do? Why, take action, of course.

• Look around. What’s in that area of the house? Is it confused with clutter? Cleaning out the clutter with the intention of opening the flow of knowledge energy for the house will definitely benefit your kids!
• Try adding the color blue (the stronger, the better) to that area. You can use art or pillows or even paint the entire space blue (here I’d go pastel).
• Bring light into the space or, as my father used to say to the teenage me, “Let’s shed a little more light on the subject.” Torchere or standing floor lamps are great tools to bring lifting “up-light” energy.

Next: What you see is what you get.

Want your student to read books? Look around. Are there books in the house? The energy from books is powerful. Keeping a library or just a shelf of favorites sends a message that learning is important.

Best place for books in the house? Of course, in the knowledge area. (Just beware of clutter – choose books that are favorites and will be re-read.)

Finally: Be patient, change is on the way.

In my years of practice I’ve observed that there are three types of change you can look for when making Feng Shui power improvements.

• Sudden and immediate shifts
• Clear changes over a brief period of time (three weeks, three months, etc.)
• Gradual change so slow and subtle that it only shows in hindsight.

Kids and pre-teens show changes much more clearly than your average teen. Teenagers are slow to show change but, if you are putting your love energy and your powerful intentions into the adjustments you are putting into place, change is happening.

In ancient Chinese tradition there are 5 factors that impact your life: Fate, Luck, Feng Shui (of course), Charity, and the most powerful, Education. I would add one more, not as a substitute but just as powerful: Love.

Always remember, the evil alien possession of your teenager isn’t permanent. Be patient. Keep giving them love and support and they will come back to human form. Keep working on their Knowledge Feng Shui and they’ll come back to human form with a good education!

Coming Next: Part 4: Feng Shui from College to the Empty Nest.

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