Reaching adolescence is a landmark in more ways than one. Your child is growing up – physically as well as mentally. As parents, this makes you happy. But when he starts questioning your attitudes and beliefs and starts asserting his own personality, it can be quite a trying period.
Your relationship could go for a toss if you don’t handle this stage with care. The root cause of this is the fact that your child is in a phase of transition. He is neither a child whom you can boss around, nor is he an adult who can be left to take his own decisions. The need of the hour is to understand your teenager’s growing need for independent action, without curbing him too much. Keep the channels of communication open and see how your adolescent blossoms into a respectable adult. As parents, you need to keep these suggestions in mind:
- Give your undivided attention: When your teenager wants to talk to you, don’t read, watch TV, fall asleep, or keep busy with other tasks.
- Try to listen calmly: There may be times when you may not agree. But still, concentrate on hearing and understanding your teenager’s point of view.
- Don’t start preaching: Adopt a give-and-take attitude whenever needed.
- Speak courteously: Even children demand courtesy and respect.
- Avoid passing judgments: Your child will not confide in you if you only criticize him.
- Allow a free discussion: Let your child feel free to discuss anything under the sun with you. Too often teenagers avoid discussing things that they think will make their parents feel uncomfortable.
- Let your child express his feelings and ideas freely: Adolescents usually have their own ideas about marriage, work, education, time and money. Listen to them with an open mind.
- Help your youngster build confidence: Encourage participation in sports, music, art, dance, or any other hobby or interest to build confidence. Let your child decide what he wants to pursue.
- Involve your child in decision-making: It is important that your child is a part of the decision-making process at home, otherwise he may get the impression that he has little or no voice in family affairs.
Follow these tips and be your child’s best friend. And rest assured, they will be yours.
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