Raising a young child is challenging, but a teenager is a true mystery of life. One day your teen can resemble a 17-year-old, but the next day she acts like she's 7 or 27. If you're having trouble understanding your teenager's behavior, don't feel you have to go it alone. Many resources can help you decipher and deal with your adolescent, according to Family First Aid, a website for troubled teens.
Step 1
Make an appointment with a therapist for you and/or your teenager, suggests Family Education, a website for parents. You'll find a variety of choices representing different educational background and experience. You may choose a school counselor, psychologist, family therapist, social worker or psychiatrist.
Professional counselors can help you and your child identify issues and initiate changes, says Focus Adolescent Services, a website dealing with teen and family issues. To find the right one for your situation, ask for referrals from friends, family members, your child's doctor, your pastor and school staff members. Your health insurance may cover counseling sessions from certain providers.
Step 2
Attend parenting classes, recommends the British Broadcasting Corp. These courses help you learn about teenagers and their behavioral problems. You get the chance to learn new skills, handle stressful situations and interact with other parents. Classes are often available through community centers, community colleges and health care organizations. You can also find online parenting classes, such as LifeMatters, and DVDs including Active Parenting of Teens.
Step 3
Join a support group, suggests Focus Adolescent Services. These groups, often led by laypeople, bring together parents with similar concerns. The sessions are confidential and usually free. Many parents attend them in addition to receiving counseling.
Ask local educators and counselors to recommend a support group for your needs. You don't have to commit right away--you can go to a couple of meetings to see whether a group is right for you before you sign on. If you need support but don't want it face to face, you can also join an online support group, such as Parenting Teens and Tweens.
Step 4
Get to know and work with your child's teachers. They can give you feedback on how your teen is doing in class and often suggest ideas to implement at home. The University of Illinois Extension suggests not waiting until parent-teacher conferences to initiate contact. If your child is having behavioral issues at home or at school, teachers will welcome your interest and participation.
Tips and Warnings
- If your teenager has a serious behavioral problem, it won't go away on its own so don't try to sweep it under the rug. Seek immediate help for your child, and learn how you can help him yourself.
