Sustaining a positive relationship with your teenager can be challenging. As your kids get older, a lot of things change, hormones kick in and things get tricky! It can be hard to know when they want you to be nurturing, when they need space and when they would like a friend to confide in without any judgment. Your child’s teenage years are a time where they go through many challenging life events and are also the point where they start to think more like adults, even if it may not seem so at times.
The conflict between parents and teenagers tends to spike when they want to be treated as adults but lack the emotional maturity to be one! The important thing for you as a parent, is to strengthen the relationship between yourself and your child throughout this time. They really need you, even if they feel that they don’t. Your child needs to know that you are there no matter what. This way, there will be fewer secrets between the two of you, and they’ll feel more comfortable to share their tough times and the battles they are struggling with. Here are some ways you can do just that.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels
Never stop having a conversation
Being in constant communication with your child will ensure they feel comfortable talking to you about what’s going on in their lives. Constant communication doesn’t mean they have to text you every five minutes! It simply means that you never stop being interested in what’s going on in their lives. You need to keep asking how they are and what’s new in their life. Is there is anything they are struggling with at the moment or what can you do to help them?
If your child can talk to you easily, they will automatically turn to you when they need help with anything in their lives. Why? Simply because you never stopped conversing with them. Teenagers who feel they have no one to talk to are among the leading causes of juvenile delinquency. This can be prevented by parents always reassuring their children that they are there if they need a shoulder to cry on.
No Judgment
Many teenagers feel they can’t or don’t want to talk to their parents. The fear of letting them down or causing disappointing is a main factor. Cultivate a home environment that is totally judgment-free and is a safe space for them to be honest with themselves and with you. However, no judgment doesn’t mean no consequences. They just need to understand that you are also human and have made mistakes in your life. Why not share the mistakes you have made in relation to a current situation? What better better way to demonstrate development, than being able to guide and help your child with lessons you’ve learned?
Sustaining a positive relationship with your teenager will only benefit both of you. Even though they get older, you’ll probably always think of them as your baby. A parent’s love and acceptance are worth gold to a child going through a tough time.
This is a collaborative post.
