10 Helpful Tips for Raising Teenagers

Raising a teenager is always a challenge for parents.  The teen years are a phase when kids pull away from their parents to create their own identity. Their focus is shifted to their friends. But parents can make their teenage less chaotic and more fun with these helpful parenting tips. 

    1.     Communication

Parents should make themselves available / approachable so that your child can come to you during a crisis or when they need adult advice. If you regularly communicate with your child, chances are you can guide them with advice about handling distractions like anger, sadness, drugs, alcohol, sex, fear of failure, and similar issues. A few minutes of conversation every single day can keep you tuned with your child. A routine for doing something special with your teen keep them connected and establish open communication.

    2.     Acknowledge

Acknowledge your child’s feelings and wishes, even if they seem self-centered, irrational, unreasonable, illogical. This is different from agreeing and is not accepting undesirable behaviour. Acknowledging your child is validating the feelings behind them. This will help the child to understand their feelings, it will also help you understand your child’s feelings and point of view.

    3.     Set Parameters

The parameter is a limit that affects how something can be done. Teens need to know what all you expect from them to keep their grades up, do their chores, and be part of the family. Successful parenting is based on a set of parameters that are well-defined, realistic, and followed by consequences. It is important to be consistent with the set parameters and the consequences. At present, your teen may not like the guidelines/ parameters but your teen will appreciate guidelines and consequences after they are grown. It teaches them self-discipline, social acceptance in their lives.

    4.     It’s okay to say “NO”

Fulfilling every wish of your teen, whether it is materialistic, social, or financial, will give them short-term happiness but will lead to a false sense of security when they deal with the real world. Saying No to your child, will aid in their development- emotionally, physically, and mentally.

    5.     Share Responsibilities

Accept it. Your child is a teenager and may not need you for everything, this is the time to instill a sense of responsibility in your teen. Along with freedom, your child should know the responsibilities of being part of the family and should contribute accordingly. Learning to be responsible is one of the greatest challenges for teenagers, but it is an important step towards growth. This will create a sense of autonomy and independence in your child’s life.

    6.     Build Self-Confidence/ Self-Esteem

Parent’s unconditional love is all time needed for every child whether it’s a teenager or an adult. Try to build self-esteem and self-confidence by praising your child, giving chores, guidelines, and constructive feedback. Express your love, let it flow visibly, and let your child feel the same.

    7.     Realistic Expectations

If the child is privileged with both parents at home, working together as partners will give your teen a feeling of safety as they take steps to explore and become independent. Teenagers and their brains are still under development, they’re still working out who they are, therefore, it is essential to understand that expectations should be framed within which the teen can explore life to his or her heart’s content, without harming themselves.

    8.     Teen Relations: Know their Friends

As your child turns into teens, most of the time they want to be with their peers. Your child may get attracted to the members of the opposite sex in teenage, and explore romantic relationships. You may not like all their friends. If you want your child to talk to you about their friend or relationship, then be open. Take time to know their friends. Invite them at home, spend time talking to them. Also if you think that someone is a bad influence on your child, try talking to them for a reason, they may understand.

    9.     Parent as a Friend

Teens crave the security of knowing that their parents understand them, appreciate them, and love them unconditionally. They want the relationship to be a form of friendship but as your child enters teenage, they need to feel like they have some independence. If you offer your teen respect and consideration, that's what you'll receive in return. Also, If you can recognize that your child is a grownup, you can enjoy a true friendship and remain responsible adults.

   10. Motivating / Rewarding

Most of the time teens are judged by their look and performance, you need to motivate them, encourage them for what they are and how they can improve. Setting realistic goals has proven to lead children to accomplish more. Also, rewards that support what you want your child to do, is a nice way to say ‘I’m proud of you’. Teens need this positive reinforcement because it shows them that they are on the right track.