As your children grow up, you may start to see that they become more aware of their social surroundings and of their peers. As they enter their teenage years, the need to be accepted by their peer’s increases while their dependence upon their parents becomes less so. However, while many teenagers get through this period, there are some that suffer more from pressure and from a desperate need to fit in. As parents, this can often lead you to wonder what to do for the best. Here are some tips on how you can help support your teenage children.
Keeping Your Parental Power
One of the most common characteristics of the teenage years is when they start to try and test the boundaries. This can include disobeying, teasing, talking back, temper throwing, and breaking the rules. For teenagers who are having difficulties, this type of behavior can become extreme.
It is important in this situation that you try not to react to these emotional outbursts. While it can be very easy to react and to talk on the spur of the moment, it is vital that you try to use your judgment as much as possible. If you can learn to keep your cool and reinforce your boundaries, they will soon realize that they cannot take control of the situation.
Setting Boundaries
As your children grow, they will, of course, need more freedom, but you still need to keep boundaries in place to protect them. When setting these boundaries, you need to speak to your teen as well and establish clear guidelines. They need to know exactly what you expect from them and what you will give them in return. It’s important that you establish a penalty for breaking the rules or for overstepping the boundaries. It is also vital that you enforce these rules if they’re broken, as being too flexible will lead them to try and push things even further.
Giving Them Support
If your teenagers are suffering at school or in their personal life, then they need to know that you are there for them and will help them as much as you can. Many teenagers will not openly speak to you about problems they are suffering, so it could be that you need to be there to listen to them if they need you. If you discover that your teenager is suffering from an addiction of some kind, then you need to try and seek help for them from places like Muse Treatment where they can get detox and other support.
Communication
Having effective communication between you and your children is one of the most important things in your relationship. From an early age, you need to try to teach them that they can speak to you about anything without criticism or judgment. If you can do this, then you will find it later in life they will be more likely to approach you about difficult things that are happening.
There are a lot of expectations and pressures on teenagers these days and so it’s important that parents understand the delicate social systems that are often in place.
Brought to you by our friend, Carol.