The upbringing of children is one of the most prominent and crucial tasks for parents, however, it is during their teenage years that they find parenting a very challenging task. Why is it so? Certainly, the raging hormones, emotional turmoil, and other factors contribute to the unpredictable behaviors of teenagers and many a time parents feel that they lack the understanding of dealing with their teens aptly. Well, a better comprehension of the needs of kids during their teens and becoming their confidante are a few things that can help in improving the understanding of teens and help you as parents to navigate through this phase of growth.
So, how can you understand your teenager in a better way and have a confident parenting experience with your child growing up smartly? Well, let me give you some tips which you must use to build a strong bond with your teenager and deal with their tantrums wisely.
Have Patience And Respect For Your Child
We all agree that without respect and love, no relationship can thrive or even survive. Therefore, make intentional efforts to extend respect and patience towards your teenager. Many parents show disrespect unconsciously when they do not listen to their children attentively or laugh their feelings off. This puts the kids in shutdown mode and they avert communication. Gradually, they become self-centered and find it an uncomfortable experience to share their heart out with their parents. Teenagers need a patient parent who is ready to stand by them and value them. So, instead of simply being there while engaged in other chores does not matter much. What matters the most is how consciously available you are to your child and how patiently you deal with them. Also, when you show respect, you earn respect as it is a reciprocal process.
Become An Empathic Listener And Validate Their Experiences
One of the greatest roadblocks for parents when dealing with teenagers is communication. When kids enter the adolescent age, they come up with their independent views and experiences. They stop viewing the world with our eyes. Instead, they get the first-hand experiences and share them as they are felt. However, scores of parents snub them for their views or try to mold them because the kids’ views do not align with the parents. Although parents do it out of concern and they mean wellness for their teenager, this approach leads to more cracks in their bond and the teenagers usually blow up or become distant. That’s when parents wonder how to understand and deal with their teenagers smartly. So, try to listen to them empathetically and validate their experiences.
Try Not To Judge Them For Their Choices
The world is full of people who would judge, belittle and bully you for your choices and being. The teenagers face a lot of judgment when away from home and many of them become a victim of bullying at schools. So, as parents, you must never judge them but hold their hands and let them feel validated and accepted. Once this feeling is communicated well, the teenager will be available for any mending whatsoever. Therefore it is crucial to adopt a non-judgmental mindset and let the kids be.
Instead Of Advice, Ask Questions
One brilliant method of developing a great bond with teenagers is by asking triggering questions. For instance, if the child is facing bullying at school, asking some general but relevant questions can help them open up about it and vent out in front of you. This will further give them the confidence to report any sort of harassment or unusual feeling to you for seeking advice or counseling. So, instead of giving them lectures or advice, stir their minds and let them come up with the problems and their solutions themselves.
Have Fun Together Frequently
Finally, having some fun time together is extremely important for cementing the bond between the teenagers and the parents. Going out for a friendly walk, sitting and chatting over a mug of coffee, or simply lying on the couch together will infuse the much-needed energy and confidence back into the relationship. With stringer trust and confidence, you will be better prepared to understand your child and how to respond to their needs. Therefore, make it a habit to spend some quality time together over the weekends and otherwise as well.
The Final Word
Precisely speaking, many teenagers develop resentment and become introverts because they hardly get understood or heard. Therefore as parents, it is your primary responsibility to make efforts and adopt smart ways of understanding your teenager’s needs and demands. If you do so, you will see how your child will grow up to be happy, self-reliant, and fulfilled.
Have Patience And Respect For Your Child
We all agree that without respect and love, no relationship can thrive or even survive. Therefore, make intentional efforts to extend respect and patience towards your teenager. Many parents show disrespect unconsciously when they do not listen to their children attentively or laugh their feelings off. This puts the kids in shutdown mode and they avert communication. Gradually, they become self-centered and find it an uncomfortable experience to share their heart out with their parents. Teenagers need a patient parent who is ready to stand by them and value them. So, instead of simply being there while engaged in other chores does not matter much. What matters the most is how consciously available you are to your child and how patiently you deal with them. Also, when you show respect, you earn respect as it is a reciprocal process.
Become An Empathic Listener And Validate Their Experiences
One of the greatest roadblocks for parents when dealing with teenagers is communication. When kids enter the adolescent age, they come up with their independent views and experiences. They stop viewing the world with our eyes. Instead, they get the first-hand experiences and share them as they are felt. However, scores of parents snub them for their views or try to mold them because the kids’ views do not align with the parents. Although parents do it out of concern and they mean wellness for their teenager, this approach leads to more cracks in their bond and the teenagers usually blow up or become distant. That’s when parents wonder how to understand and deal with their teenagers smartly. So, try to listen to them empathetically and validate their experiences.
Try Not To Judge Them For Their Choices
The world is full of people who would judge, belittle and bully you for your choices and being. The teenagers face a lot of judgment when away from home and many of them become a victim of bullying at schools. So, as parents, you must never judge them but hold their hands and let them feel validated and accepted. Once this feeling is communicated well, the teenager will be available for any mending whatsoever. Therefore it is crucial to adopt a non-judgmental mindset and let the kids be.
Instead Of Advice, Ask Questions
One brilliant method of developing a great bond with teenagers is by asking triggering questions. For instance, if the child is facing bullying at school, asking some general but relevant questions can help them open up about it and vent out in front of you. This will further give them the confidence to report any sort of harassment or unusual feeling to you for seeking advice or counseling. So, instead of giving them lectures or advice, stir their minds and let them come up with the problems and their solutions themselves.
Have Fun Together Frequently
Finally, having some fun time together is extremely important for cementing the bond between the teenagers and the parents. Going out for a friendly walk, sitting and chatting over a mug of coffee, or simply lying on the couch together will infuse the much-needed energy and confidence back into the relationship. With stringer trust and confidence, you will be better prepared to understand your child and how to respond to their needs. Therefore, make it a habit to spend some quality time together over the weekends and otherwise as well.
The Final Word
Precisely speaking, many teenagers develop resentment and become introverts because they hardly get understood or heard. Therefore as parents, it is your primary responsibility to make efforts and adopt smart ways of understanding your teenager’s needs and demands. If you do so, you will see how your child will grow up to be happy, self-reliant, and fulfilled.
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