Teenage Parenting... A Beautiful shift

“He is smart and intelligent but shy! I don’t know why he doesn’t speak to anyone”, this triggered a chain of thoughts to identify the cause of such behaviour in a teenage person. There could be an event in the past or present that hinders the child's expression or it may be peer pressure affecting their nature, or perhaps, it is just hormones playing a role in the scenario.

Handling a Teenager is challenging at times. This is the age when children are growing and grooming themselves into adulthood. There surrounding plays a major role in their development as they observe, understand, and are affected by their, and others, behaviours and feelings. Their interests, thought processes, likes and dislikes are all developing.

Studies have shown that the Atmosphere at Home, Parent conversations with the Child during the growing period, how parents Handle tough moments, and Comparison with others are a few of the parameters which can create a big impact during this period and can have a lifelong impact. Low self-esteem and lack of decision-making power, insecurity, Confusion, Fear of social connectivity are a few of the common problems observed.

🤔 What we can do to deal with the situation?

It is important to understand that the teenage years are a unique “period” in which adults may need to adjust their behaviours. As parents of children, we do a lot to correct their habits. We use negative motivation, sharing fearful thoughts, pressurizing the child to do the things they have been asked to do. However, this can go wrong.

Remember❗❗

👉🏻 You are Friend too

Yes! You read it right; you are a friend too. Handling the situation with a friendly approach and advice works with teens. This will nourish the confidence and parent relationship with a teen.

👉🏻 Be a coach

Help them to develop their thought process and decision-making power by guiding them. Help them to understand the problem and try to find out the solution. Avoid giving readymade solutions to the problem.

👉🏻 Think and discuss differently

Build an atmosphere where the teen is comfortable choosing the topic for the discussion. In their daily lives, they are introduced to many different topics which parent couldn’t have discussed with them until now. Prepare yourself with research and different methods to discuss with them efficiently and effectively.

👉🏻 Active listener

Active listening will help understand the teen, how they are growing and can help you as a parent too for your shift.

👉🏻 Positive Examples

Show them the positive side of the situation while preparing them for tough moments. Set the positive examples to deal with study pressure, anxiety, stress etc. or even while setting the rule or making them understand the consequences too.

👉🏻 Show your love and confidence

Do not forget to show your love and your confidence in them. Parent’s Unconditional love and confidence are the backbones of teens while preparing themselves for the new world, new life.

It’s their journey and our responsibility to prepare them for it. You as a parent needs to make them feel loved, safe and secured while they embark onto the new phase of life.

The shift in parenting approaches such as being a friend than an adult, listening than instructing, helping than managing will help them take charge of their life responsibly.

Happy Parenting..!! 😇😇