By Rose John
Parenting is a highly responsible and equally difficult task especially when you have to deal with your full of life, freedom-craving and adamant teenagers. Until then you and your kids might have understood each other very well and had a very loving and strong relationship between you. All of a sudden you, as parents find it hard to comprehend anything they say and may be dumbfounded as to what to say to them and how. Your teenagers, similarly, no more find it easy to discuss things with you and they prefer to bond better with their friends and peers, which again irritates and annoys parents. Teenage is a period when children are faced with a lot of new experiences and some may adjust well to it while some turn rebellious and out-of-control. As parents, it becomes your duty and responsibility to intervene in their lives, whether they like it or not, the moment you sense something is wrong. In fact, here are a few tips which could certainly prove handy in successfully parenting difficult teens.
1. Keep communication channels open between you and your teenager
Even though your teenager might not want to talk to you, make it a point to talk to them in an unassuming and not-so-deliberate manner. Everyone hates advice, especially teenagers. They always feel they know what's right for them. So rather than fixing a time and place before hand and summoning them like their school principal does, try to initiate a friendly chat while driving them to school or over dinner or even while watching a show. Remember that you have passed that particular stage and you know what it is to be there. Just communicate that with your teenager and then they will be more or less comfortable to talk and discuss things with you.
2. Spend time with your teenager
The last thing on a teenager's mind would be to spend time with their parents, have you ever wondered why? It's not because they don't like your company, it's just that they are probably afraid that you might bombard them with questions concerning their lives and they might have to face a difficult situation which they do not know how to handle. So spending a cool and no-question evening at least once in two weeks may be just by going for a stroll in the park or for a movie can do the trick. If you as parents can be like one of their friends, they will acknowledge you and talk and even luckily listen to you.
3. Be able to say a firm "no" when absolutely necessary
Once you realize that your teenager is having trouble, take charge of the situation. You need not worry over more rebellious behavior from their side if you say a firm no for absolutely unacceptable behaviors. As long as you don't keep on saying no for each and everything they do, they will value your decision and judgment even if it isn't in their favor. Drugs, alcohol and too many late nights certainly fall under the category of unacceptable behavior and you as parents must drive home this idea to your teenagers so that they very well know what to expect.
4. Get professional help
Some teenagers will never come around no matter what you try and will continue to become more defiant and more rebellious. In such cases, the sooner you get professional help, the better. Rather than sitting depressed and trying to figure out the reason behind your teen's behavior, seek the help of a licensed therapist or a counselor who will recommend the necessary steps to be taken.
Parenting is a highly responsible and equally difficult task especially when you have to deal with your full of life, freedom-craving and adamant teenagers. Until then you and your kids might have understood each other very well and had a very loving and strong relationship between you. All of a sudden you, as parents find it hard to comprehend anything they say and may be dumbfounded as to what to say to them and how. Your teenagers, similarly, no more find it easy to discuss things with you and they prefer to bond better with their friends and peers, which again irritates and annoys parents. Teenage is a period when children are faced with a lot of new experiences and some may adjust well to it while some turn rebellious and out-of-control. As parents, it becomes your duty and responsibility to intervene in their lives, whether they like it or not, the moment you sense something is wrong. In fact, here are a few tips which could certainly prove handy in successfully parenting difficult teens.
1. Keep communication channels open between you and your teenager
Even though your teenager might not want to talk to you, make it a point to talk to them in an unassuming and not-so-deliberate manner. Everyone hates advice, especially teenagers. They always feel they know what's right for them. So rather than fixing a time and place before hand and summoning them like their school principal does, try to initiate a friendly chat while driving them to school or over dinner or even while watching a show. Remember that you have passed that particular stage and you know what it is to be there. Just communicate that with your teenager and then they will be more or less comfortable to talk and discuss things with you.
2. Spend time with your teenager
The last thing on a teenager's mind would be to spend time with their parents, have you ever wondered why? It's not because they don't like your company, it's just that they are probably afraid that you might bombard them with questions concerning their lives and they might have to face a difficult situation which they do not know how to handle. So spending a cool and no-question evening at least once in two weeks may be just by going for a stroll in the park or for a movie can do the trick. If you as parents can be like one of their friends, they will acknowledge you and talk and even luckily listen to you.
3. Be able to say a firm "no" when absolutely necessary
Once you realize that your teenager is having trouble, take charge of the situation. You need not worry over more rebellious behavior from their side if you say a firm no for absolutely unacceptable behaviors. As long as you don't keep on saying no for each and everything they do, they will value your decision and judgment even if it isn't in their favor. Drugs, alcohol and too many late nights certainly fall under the category of unacceptable behavior and you as parents must drive home this idea to your teenagers so that they very well know what to expect.
4. Get professional help
Some teenagers will never come around no matter what you try and will continue to become more defiant and more rebellious. In such cases, the sooner you get professional help, the better. Rather than sitting depressed and trying to figure out the reason behind your teen's behavior, seek the help of a licensed therapist or a counselor who will recommend the necessary steps to be taken.
Post a Comment