1. Communication Is Key
Communicating with a teenager is the most important thing a parent can do. To effectively communicate with your teen, you must be willing to be an active listener. Teenagers often have trouble expressing their feelings. You may have to read between the lines to find the hidden meaning behind messages. While your teenager may be cryptic when talking about her feelings, you must be direct and straight forward when you talk about your feelings. It is always best to try to remain calm, compassionate and understanding, no matter how difficult the situation. A teenager will often tune you out if you start lecturing or yelling.
2. Spend Time Together
Many teenagers will try to stay away from spending quality time with the family. As a parent, it may seem like a never ending battle to work family time into your teenager's busy social schedule. It is still important to insist that your teen spend time with the family so you can continue to have a meaningful relationship. You can insist that he eat dinner with you most nights of the week, attend worship services with the family or spend an afternoon at home.
3. The Importance of Education
Some teens think of school as a social event instead of an academic experience. When you are raising a teenager, you must impress the importance of a good education. Stay involved in your teen's school work. You don't have to check her homework every day, but you should ask her about her classes and assignments for that day. Getting to know her teachers is a good idea. Let her teachers know that you are available anytime for conferences or updates about your teen.
4. Set Rules for Guidance
Teenagers need guidance from their parents. Teenagers lack the skills necessary to make major decisions alone. It is important for parents to help teenagers develop these skills so they can lead a productive and successful life as an adult. To do this, parents must set ground rules for teenagers that allow for a limited amount of freedom. The ground rules should be about morals not about forbidden actions. Teenagers will sometimes rebel by going against the rules when a parent forbids them to do a certain thing.
5. Allow Individuality
Many teenagers look for ways to express their individuality. As a parent, you should help your teen to find healthy ways to express himself. Letting him pick out his wardrobe is one way to let him express himself. If he starts to pick items that are totally against your beliefs, gently steer him away from those items. If he goes to a school where uniforms are required, help him to pick out accessories or other items to wear to school that express his individuality. Sometimes, compromise is necessary to find things you can deal with that still allow him to express himself.
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