3 Effective Ways To Deal With Teenagers + How To Strengthen The Bond

1.    Respect Your Teen’s Individuality

Your teen is a whole person all on their own, and as a parent, it’s your job to understand that and to appreciate and respect the individual features of your teen. Here are some ways to do so:

·         Let Their Friends In

Your teenager is going to have their friends, and you may not like all of them. But the best way to get to know those friends and learn more about your teen’s friendship dynamics is by letting their friends into your home. Make a space in your home that they can all hang out, preferably in an open area where you can casually walk by and keep an eye on them.

·         Support Interests

Your teenager is bound to have a ton of personal interests, and you should support them where you can! If they like to dance, pay for lessons. If they enjoy theater, make sure you go and watch their shows. Or if they prefer sports, sign them up for related clubs and coaching sessions.

·         Remember That Respect Goes Both Ways

It’s normal for parents to expect the respect of their kids, but your children deserve your respect, too. It’s a two-way street. Your teenager should be treated with kindness, patience, respect, and empathy, so don’t call them names, demean them, or ignore them.

2.    Keep Lines Open

Teenagers tend to withdraw to themselves, but by keeping lines open, you can circumvent this. Here’s how:

·         Use Effective Communication

You want to ensure that positive communication is a part of your relationship with your teen. Keep communication lines open and be kind and non-judgemental, so your teenagers always feel comfortable going to you with their questions or for advice. If your teenager doesn’t talk a lot, you can write notes to them, text them or use other forms of communication.

·         Be Empathic

Your teenager wants to feel understood, and you must develop the empathy necessary for that. Instead of automatically assuming the worst, listen to your teenager carefully, express your understanding of what they face, and focus less on fixing things or reprimanding them. Support them, validate their thoughts, struggles, and experiences, and don’t judge them for what they feel and their questions.

·         Be Available

Being available as a parent provides a teenager with the support they need for positive effects on their performance and personal wellbeing, and self-esteem. Please make yourself available for your children of all ages, and keep them in top priority above your other non-familial commitments.

3.    Allow Desires For Independence

It’s natural for teenagers to want to be independent. You can’t take the reins off them entirely, but you should find a balance that lets teens explore their desires for such intelligence. Here’s how:

·         Be Flexible With Freedom

Teenagers are in an exploratory phase of their lives. They want to experience independence and learn responsibility, and you can help facilitate this by being flexible with their freedoms. The goal is to teach your teenager that their personal decisions determine the outcomes they face. You are free to extend and retract levels of freedom for your teenager, as long as you communicate why you’re doing so in a positive way.

·         Give Them A Chance To Solve Problems

It’s tempting to want to jump in and take over for teenagers, solving their problems for them, but you should give your kids a chance to solve things on their own. After you’ve listened and been empathetic, encourage your teenager to find solutions independently. Of course, you’re always available to offer help, but you should make it clear that you want your teenager to solve their problems, face their consequences, and walk their path.

·         Treat Them Like A Teenager, Not A Child

While you shouldn’t treat a teenager as an adult, you shouldn’t treat them like a child. Though they may always be a baby in your eyes, your teen has grown up from that stage. Remember to treat them like teenagers instead of like children, and this will give you more perspective into how much independence they should have at this stage of their life.