Do you still get chills when your teenager expressed his desire to go to the ED Sheeran concert? Welcome to parent a teenager! A new journey begins, but be sure to take a detour from the old mindsets, patterns and talk of parents.
The onset of puberty poses a myriad of new challenges for a teenager. Suddenly, their personality changes. The choice of color is no longer the same. They are more interested in music and fashion. New dimensions and opportunities present themselves. They know a lot of things that make us feel old. In fact, it's a signal to understand that our parenting needs a little adjustment. Parenting a teenager can sometimes increase your stress. As you tackle new issues, it's worth noting that they too are full of new stuff in all areas. Their bodies are changing, their attitude is changing, academics are expanding and they have to make decisions in all areas.
I would strictly recommend being a “friendly parent” and NOT a friend of your child. We often say: "We are friends with our child". The problem here is that they get mixed feelings when you correct them for a thing or two, when a friend would still be okay with what they're doing. Children immerse themselves in watching. We must all lead by example. What remains a “NO” should be just that. It is always good to give a reason why it is refused. When opposing the teenager, be careful with your choice of words. It hurts them and they may not show it. But deep down, they are all little children. They still need sweet praise and approval smiles. Encourage them in the best way so that you know that you are always there for them.
Family time with the teenager is very important. Try to do more interesting things. Let them become independent with their wardrobes and schoolwork. Keep a door open (in your mind) to help them and encourage them to present you with a problem. It is good to be careful with the words we use because they convey their concerns to us. Give them a tip or two about being safe when going out with a friend or a group. The “GOOD TOUCH and BAD TOUCH” sermon makes them uncomfortable now, but it's one more step towards the link. Love and respect will continue forever.