We were all teens at one time for some many years ago even if we don't like to admit it. Many of us can look back and say our teen years were good, but with many ups and downs as we approached adulthood. Some of us maybe were lucky enough to have parents we could talk to about anything with ease. Today's teens deal with many of the same issues, but also deal with some very difficult issues that are more prevalent in today's youth.
Your teen will need guidance and most likely seek advice. As parents we need to help insure that our teens will come to us with most of these issues. We need to create an atmosphere that will encourage our teens to turn to us. It can be quite a task to get your teen to open up and I found with my teenage boys they were a little reluctant to discuss personal issues. It's quite normal for your teen to seem more distant as they work their way to adulthood. Many times they will seek advice from their peers, but don't worry, this is normal for kids this age.
Peers play a big part in the teenage years and strong healthy relationships with their peers is important to them. More importantly though, I believe they need to be able to relate and confide in their parents as much as possible. It's likely this will not happen without some encouragement from the parents. Making ourselves available, showing we understand, and that they can talk openly with us without judgment plays a key factor in getting them to open up and feel comfortable doing so.
Some issues today's teens face may be difficult or uncomfortable to discuss, but looking the other way will not help. If they can't come to you they will seek advice or help elsewhere. Personally, I would much rather have my teen come to me regardless of the topic, rather than turn to another source who does not love and care for them the way I do. We as parents don't want our teens turning to someone who may not have their best interests in mind.
The guidance and advice they receive during these wonderful, but yet difficult years can impact the choices they make in the future, therefore, the present time is crucial. While some decisions they may have to make will seem insignificant, some could affect the rest of their lives. Whether the importance is big or small they need to know they can turn to their parents for everything.
I have found with my teens, by offering stories or comparisons to when I was their age, is an effective way to get the conversation started. In a relaxed one on one situation, casually bringing things up opened the door to allow my boys to talk about a similar situation they may have experienced. Sometimes, they tend to refer to a friend that was going through something similar, which very well could be the case, but at the same time, I take it as a hint. If a close peer is going through it, most likely, they are too or will be.
By letting teens know through comparison, that when you were a teen, you too had similar issues and was once their age, will encourage them to open up. Will everything they want to talk about be a major dilemma? The answer is No. Will they suddenly spill their guts and divulge everything to you from this point on? Not likely because it takes time to establish that kind of trust. Yes, they have been your kids for many years and they trust you, but this is Trust taken to a whole new level.
The idea is to keep the lines of communication open, show them you care, that you understand and you are there for them. Build a strong level of trust with your teen and hopefully when the big issues come up, you may be the first to know.
This article is written by Tammy Pinarbasi, Owner of the Parent Super Site, http://www.parentsupersite.com. You may reprint this article or use it on your website, however, please be sure to link back to this site. Thank You...
best cleaning company Highland Park ..'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
Mother's Day is important for children.This Mother's Day take note... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Because most teens have not had the experience of getting... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Why Is Spending Time with Your Child So Important?For children... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
What's hard for teenagersHaving people who don't understand you trying... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
Parenting |