Do you still cringe when your teenage son expressed his desire to go to the ED Sheeran concert? Welcome to being a parent of a TEEN! Start a new journey, but be sure to take a detour from old mindsets, patterns, and conversations with parents.
The onset of puberty sets up a myriad of new challenges for a teenager. Suddenly, his personality is changing. The choice of color is no longer the same. They have more interest in music and fashion. New dimensions and opportunities are presented to you. They know a lot of things that make us feel ancient. In fact, this is a sign to understand that our upbringing needs a little adjustment. Raising a teenager can sometimes add to her stress. As it tackles new topics, it should be noted that they are also full of novelties in all fields. Your body is changing, attitude is altering, academics are expanding, and you are facing decision-making in all fields.
I would strictly recommend being a ‘friendly parent’ and NOT a friend to your child. We often say: ‘We are friends of our son’. The problem here is that they have mixed feelings when you correct them for one or two things, whereas a friend would always agree with their actions. The children drink watching. We all have to walk the talk. What remains a ‘NO’ should be just that. It is always good to give a reason why it is rejected. When you object to the teen, be careful with your choice of words. It hurts them and they may not show it. But deep down they are all little children. They still need sweet praise and approving smiles. Encourage them in the best way so they know that you are always there for them.
Family time with your teen is very important. Try to do more interesting things. Allow them to become independent with managing their wardrobe and schoolwork. Keep a door open (in your mind) to help them and encourage them to come to you with a problem. It is good to be careful about the words we use as they bring your concerns to us. Give them a tip or two on how to be careful during outings with a friend or a group. The ‘GOOD TOUCH and BAD TOUCH’ sermon makes them uncomfortable now, but that’s one more step towards bonding. Love and respect will continue forever.