It’s the new year and as parents have you been thinking about how you can get your teen to shift their behavior for the better this year? How to get them to do their chores, bring up their grades, have more respect for themselves, and stop disrespecting you? I think this might be a similar goal for a lot of parents. I would have to say that you probably think about this throughout the year, not just at the beginning of the year.
I believe this is a full time job, parents! Looking at how you might be able to mold your teen into a respectful adult someday. I’m going to just give you a short list of things you can do, that will make a big difference in your teens behavior this year. Â Maybe this is the year that you come to an individual retreat to really learn the tools you need to become a more empowered parent.
Tips to being an empowered parent:
- Step into your teens reality. Listen to them and really try to understand what they are going through. This is the biggest issue I hear about from teens, “My parents don’t listen to me”
- Let them know how much you love them and how special they are. It is so important to teens self worth to know that their parents see and love them for who they are. With school friends, teachers, and the media, it’s important to have a safe place at home to know that you are loved unconditionally. Teens say, “My parents only see the things I do that are wrong.”
- Don’t let your fears get in the way of your communication with your teen. If your teen has an issue that triggers you, do your best not to react, stay calm and be available for them. Talk to them about how they feel and what’s going on for them. It’s not about you.
- Set strong boundaries. Kids of all ages need boundaries, it makes them feel safe. If you are good at setting boundaries, it will make them better boundary setters in their life.
- Monitor and limit their exposure to social media, internet and TV. Too much TV and Internet makes for a numb mind, and deadens our creativity. It’s up to us as parents to encourage our teens to explore other avenues of entertainment to expand their minds. The risks are also wide.
- Don’t set unrealistic rules that set them up for failure. Remember what being a teen was like and don’t expect them to be adults, their not. Communicate with them about drinking, drugs, sex and all of the other things they might want to experiment with, so they can make educated decisions when you’re not around.
- Love them, love them and let them know you love them!
