These suggestions are geared mainly toward parenting teenagers and serve to keep those lines of trust, communication and love open as our teens navigate this very interesting passage of life.
- Teach your children to trust you by seeing you as a role model.
- Be patient, not just tolerant. Apologize when you make a mistake or do something you regret.
- Ask teens what they need from you – and do whatever you can to meet those needs.
- Listen to your teens, a lot. Avoid interrupting.
- Teach your children about ethics, values and principles they can apply in choices and decision making.
- Help them discover the feeling of gratitude, not just to say thank you.
- Keep the promises you make. If you do not keep your word, acknowledge that. Help your teen understand the circumstances or choices that precipitated the change in your plans.
- Answer your teen’s questions and be consistent. When you notice behavioral changes in them, make yourself available and encourage them to talk about what is going on in their life.
- Be understanding when they have a difficult time and let them know you will love them no matter what.
- Be diligent. Have ongoing conversations with your kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol.
2 comments:
A very good list. I had the opportunity this past weekend of my child thanking me for admitting I was wrong about an issue we had been going around and around about.
Just remember, as much as you think the teenage years are hard on us as parents, it is so much harder on our children.
Thank you so much for publishing this list. I teach teenagers and support anything that brings them and their parents closer together. It's a very tough time for them and can only be made easier by adults they can truly look up to.
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