Teenage years are a time full of wonder, confusion, fun, and discovery. It can also turn out to be a messy time that parents and behavioural experts blame on raging hormones. In the United States, teenagers continue to be an important demographic group as they made up 21.63% of the 2019 population. Many times, parents and guardians feel unable to build a stronger connection with their teenagers. So, how can you build such a relationship? Try out these tips.
- Try to be understanding
Although your teenager’s behaviour may be baffling sometimes, you should try to be understanding; they are at the crossroads of adulthood and childhood, which can be quite confusing. Teenagers feel burdened with the responsibility of sifting through rambling thoughts, so many tend to act impulsively to be independent. This may explain their sudden mood swings. Even though they recognize the need for a stable connection with their parents, they will begin to form new partnerships with others in the path of self-discovery. In such a time, you should be sympathetic and understanding to offer guidance to them.
- Recognize and appreciate their need for independence
Wishing to establish an identity and be separated from parents’ reach is a developmental milestone for most teens. It may be difficult for many parents, but it is essential to recognize this need and try to meet them halfway. You can do this by setting boundaries and respecting their space. Treat them as young adults rather than children. Leave them to prepare meals occasionally or to be alone in their rooms. Doing this sends the message that you trust them, and over time, they would be comfortable confiding in you.
- Support friendship choices
Supporting your teenager’s friendship choices can be tricky. Despite how challenging the situation may be, keep in mind that being overly-stern about the kind of friends they keep is unhealthy; they would only hide these bad friends from you, which is worse. Encourage them to make good friends. Also encourage them to be good friends to others. For example, if they have friends whose family is dealing with personal or work-related illness such as mesothelioma cancer, lending a helping hand by seeking out a mesothelioma attorney would be a thoughtful course of action.
- Respect their need for privacy
Some parents adopt a ‘cool’ persona but go overboard in their efforts to keep up with growing teenagers. They stalk their teenagers’ social media activities, leaving feedback on every post- which can be quite overbearing. Instead, give them an appreciable level of privacy and leave hints of your availability whenever they need to open up to you. Explain why you are entrusting them with unmonitored freedom; in return, they make use of wise decisions you already taught them.
You will build a stronger connection if you decide to listen to your teenager and allow them the freedom to express themselves. As teenagers question the world around them, be empathetic to their confusion on their journey.
[…] begin negotiating their way through adolescence, it is essential to ensure that you establish a stronger connection with them as parents. An effective way of achieving this is by joining in with one of […]