Teens are hard and being a parent to teenagers can be very challenging. Do you remember that time when you felt like no one could understand your opinions, particularly not your dad or mum? At the same time, they thought you know nothing. You know your little boy or daughter is a teenager (semi-formed adult) when he or she;
- Portrays attitude over things that have never been an issue since childhood.
- Reluctantly does what you ask or refuses to do it
- Denies agreeing to anything
- Starts insulting you under his or her breath
- Screams, cries, slams the doors or roars regularly
- It’s not fun to live with him or her
Teen counseling is one way of helping adolescents to understand themselves and learn how to relate with other people well. Here are tips to help you become a better parent for your teenage daughter.
1. Don’t forget that you are the parent
You, as the parent, your job is to prepare your teenage daughter to become independent, responsible adult. It is, therefore, essential to be a clear-sighted, compassionate mentor. Your daughter doesn’t need friendship; she needs moral leadership.
2. Always be calm even when the wind changes
You won’t resolve anything when you are too stressed or angry to think straight. If you realize you can’t respond rationally to something your daughter said or did, take a break until you are calm and can reason well with your child.
3. Listen more and talk less
Every teen wants to be listened to and treated with respect. Always be available and a ‘safe’ person your child can trust and talk to. This doesn’t imply that you must agree to everything your kid says. However, letting your teenage daughter talk without interruptions (openly) offers her an opportunity to listen to her own ideas played out loud. Besides, it also opens a window into their problem-solving strengths and weaknesses. You can use these details to mentor your child.
4. Boundaries are important too
It’s challenging for most parents to grant their growing teens more privacy and autonomy. For your child to develop good judgment, she needs opportunities to make different mistakes and learn from them. This is a way of encouraging them to learn different life skills.
5. Your daughter is always watching
Everyone wants their child to be resilient, good-hearted, trustworthy, responsible, and honest. Kids learn from their parents, and it’s important to ensure that you are modeling those values in your daily life. It’s also good to talk the walk as you walk in it.
6. Catch your daughter in the act of doing something right
Teenager struggle with self-confidence. Probably when your daughter isn’t dumping on herself, her peers are doing it for her. Avoid adding your voice to this negativity. Check for the things she is doing right and praise her. This will increase her feelings of competency.
Teenagers aren’t some monsters to make you worried and nervous. Remember, there is a lot of stuff going through their minds, and they require your help to deal with their current situation. So, be a good parent.