It is just part of parenting teens to feel shut out and
worthless as a parent, right? This is
not the case. Most children (remember,
teens are still kids) need a firm parental hand on their shoulder. While most of the time they will make good
decisions based on what you have taught them through the years, other times
they will struggle endlessly with peer pressure. The first thing that you need to do as a
parent is to take a step back and then make your move.
Take A Step Back
Parenting teens is no easy task. The first thing that you need to do, no
matter how angry you are, is to take a small step back and realize what is
really happening with your teen. To do
this, you need to realize what they are facing.
They are facing peer pressure, constant rejection from friends and are
usually struggling with their self image.
They are under a lot of stress and do not need you to add to it.
Make Your Move
No matter what you see when you take your step back; you
need to react to it. If you are thinking
that you do not need to worry about your child because they will make the right
choices, you are welcoming their pain.
Instead, you need to pull them aside when they are having trouble and
talk to them in a frank yet understanding way.
For example, if you suspect that your child is doing drugs, sit down
with them, tell them what you think is happening and offer to help them to get
them back on track. No accusations, no
pressure, just you being a parent.
Realize that all children make mistakes, even teens. The mistakes teens make are just bigger and
more life threatening than those that toddlers make. Yet, parenting teens means being a parent to
them. Realize what is happening to your
child. Realize what you need to do about
it. Forgive them for making the mistake
and help them to get out of it. You will
need to do this type of parenting for as long as you have teens.
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