Like You....We Put Kids First: September 2015

Saturday

It's Here...The Crazy Teen Years

Everyone warns us about the terrible two’s, but a toddler does not match the strife caused once children hit the terrible teens. Your precious children change from idolizing your every move to leaving you in the dust. Everything is suddenly about them - their friends, their phone, their Facebook. Parents respond by preaching nagging and threatening, often causing teens to feel less respected and become insolent or withdrawn. It is a never ending cycle. Though it is impossible to avoid the tug of war, you can make the days smoother with communication.

But wait, you are just getting started, welcome to the teens' years. Now when you talk about parenting teens, well, that’s a whole new ball game. Yes, they can be the sweetest, most loving and sometimes even caring creatures on planet earth, but boy, sometimes our teens will drive us crazy. Yes, I said “CRAZY.”

Hey, relax, many of us, (dare to say I,) drove our parents crazy as well. Fortunately today, we have wonderful tools and resources to help us in parenting our teens.

I have a wonderful e-book entitled Parenting Teens Special Report. Much of the information I am sharing with today is included in this book as well. (Who said nothing is free.) This report discusses important issues such as:

Communication Tips
Everyday Parenting Tips
Step Parenting Tips
Entitled Teens Parenting Tips
What Actions You Can Take As a Parent

I would love to hear any comments or concerns you may have in parenting your teens. Sharing information and suggestions are very important in raising teens today. I agree; it does take a village to help in raising our children. Sharing ideas and learning new techniques is one way we can help one another in parenting our children.

Make no mistake, good parents must start in the home. Your home, my home, as well as our neighbors. There is an old saying that I heard as a child that said, “The buck stops here.” It’s understandable that many of us parent the way we were parented, but let’s stop and take a look back and see if that parenting style really worked well for us. And if it did, why is it not working for our teens today?

Our program entitled For Our Kids Parenting and Co-Parenting Services understand your concerns. Our teen parenting class will provide you with the knowledge; tools and skills needed to parent effectively.

We will discuss issues such as:

How to encourage teenage independence while using positive discipline techniques.
Understanding the adolescent teen.
Entering the teen years.
Problem-solving and honest communication.
Anger management
And so much more…

Remember to click here to receive this wonderful e-book entitled Parenting Teens Special Report.” This e-book is full of valuable information to help you in parenting teens. Looking for even more information on parenting today's’ teens? Simply fill out your contact information to be placed on our mailing list.

About.com Teen

Your teen will need privacy. As parents, we are not very comfortable not knowing what is going on in our child’s life. But as your teen starts to date, you will need to take a step back and not try to know ‘everything’.

See our quiz, Are You Sabotaging Your Teen's Social Life? You may at first have a hard time and feel like something is wrong. That is normal – your parenting role is changing. Change always feels awkward at first. On the other hand, your teenager may want to chat about the experience. He/she may have some questions to ask. If so, make yourself available. But remember to try not to ‘read into’ any of the questions and begin prying.

Communication Tips

You can’t accomplish anything if no one is listening. Communication is the cornerstone for a positive relationship with your teens. Here are a few tips to start opening the lines of communication.

• Build Trust– When you give your opinion or ask your teen questions their first reaction is you don’t trust them.

Build trust early. Show trust by giving them some age appropriate freedoms. However, make it clear that if the trust is broken, freedoms will be taken away until the trust is rebuilt.

• Practice Honesty- At this age, adolescents develop their thinking skills. They are very aware of what you say and are sensitive to consistency.

If you say something and do another, they will recognize your actions as two faced. By being dishonest you will lose their respect and your ability to lead.

Every Day Parenting Tips

The first step is opening the lines of communication. Once that is accomplished, you should be better equipped to deal with the everyday issues that arise. Here are a few tips to build a positive framework.
• Encourage Activities for Personal Growth- Teens maintain a better attitude when they participate in activities allowing for personal expression. Extra curricula activities like art programs, sports or band help teens find value in themselves. Evidence has also shown teens who participate in community service engage in less risky behaviors and receive higher grades.
• Allow Teens to Have a Part- time Job It will teach them important skills for the future such as accountability, time and money management, the ability to communicate effectively and be on time.
• Build a Close Relationship– Remember, communication is key. Teens are persuaded by the people they spend time with the most. By spending time, parents contribute the most powerful impact on a child’s attitude, behavior and life approach. Form close bonds by making family dinners a time to connect. Talk to your teen about issues that are important to them such as school or their friends. Resist the urge to be a know-it-all. Instead, actively listen to their opinions and reflect what they are saying back to them so they are aware you value their thoughts. Teens with a close bond to their parents are proven to do better academically and engage in less destructive behavior.