mardi 7 octobre 2014

Parenting Tips For Raising Teenagers That Will Ensure A Smooth Transition To Adulthood

By Jocelyn Davidson


Having a teen in the house can be a challenge. Teens have entered that stormy part of their lives where they change in every conceivable way. Their bodies change, their hormones race, their emotions are jumbled and they struggle to interact with the world within which they grew up. This can cause conflict, even anger and rebelliousness. By keeping a few basic parenting tips for raising teenagers in mind parents can learn to cope with this stage and help their teens cope better.

Even if it does not always look like it, teens react positively to parental love. If they know that they are loved unconditionally and that they will always be treasured as part of the family they will be able to deal with their own turmoil in a more balanced manner. Parents should reaffirm their love for their teen regularly, particularly when they behave poorly.

Unconditional love does not imply that the parents must blindly accept destructive behavior. The teen must understand that every member of the household has equal rights. It is therefore advisable to gently but firmly establish a set of rules. Every effort should be made to involve all the members of the family in this conference and to achieve consensus on the proposed code of conduct.

Teens are under tremendous peer pressure and they start to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, clothes that seem strange to their parents, body piercing and tattoos, to name just a few. Even when horrified, parents should refrain from outright condemnation and direct conflict. It is better to provide information impassively, to discuss the consequences of dubious decisions and to convince the teen to delay a final decision for an agreed period.

Behind their pretense and their know it all attitudes many teens are vulnerable and naive. This exposes them to those elements that prey on the weaknesses of others. Ignorance has caused many teens to make costly mistakes. It is therefore vital to make sure that they are informed on matters such as safe sex, online security and personal hygiene, to name a few.

It is vitally important that parents set a positive example for their teens to follow. They need to show their teen that it is honorable to acknowledge mistakes and that there is no shame in apologizing. Parents should also be careful to make sure that they are not guilty of the exact same mistake that they are warning their teens against. It is hypocritical to warn a teen against the dangers of alcohol, for example, when the parents regularly over indulge themselves.

Teens are entering their adult lives and parents will do well if they acknowledge the fact that their teens may have valuable and valid opinions. Teens must be encouraged to provide input when family decisions are made. Parents should make it clear that the input is deemed important. It may also be a good idea to give the teen more responsibilities. This will show him that he is trusted.

Parents should remember that their teens are experiencing extraordinary changes. They are on the brink of adulthood and they are often scared and unsure of themselves. Parents should provide a safe haven full of love, understanding and support. This will give the teen confidence.




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