How To Enjoy Your Children’s Adolescence: 5 Useful Tips
Enjoying your children’s adolescence is not a mission impossible as many believe. If you are prepared, you will be able to manage the physical and behavioral changes of your children. The important thing is to know how to deal with such an important phase in the life of any human being.
During adolescence, all the things your child was familiar with change. Children see the world differently and, in some cases, react to the unknown with prevention and hostility. In this article we will introduce you to some of the measures you can put into practice to get the most out of this stage of life.
Remember that you are an adult and as a parent your duty is to help your child be independent. It is very easy to be friends and accomplices, but it is not what your children really need. A teenager needs your guidance, advice and lessons more than your friendship.
How can you enjoy your children’s adolescence?
1. In adverse situations, stay calm
If you are dominated by stress, you can’t solve any problems. In adverse situations, the best thing for you and your children to do is to step back, breathe deeply and speak assertively. As adults, you must act rationally and calmly.
2. Talk less and listen more
All humans want to be listened to with respect, especially teenagers. Try to be the kind of person who is always willing to listen to problems and give advice when needed. This does not mean that you must always agree on everything. You must listen without interrupting and use your conflict resolution skills.
3. Respect the limits
For parents of a teenager, one of the most difficult challenges is to stick to boundaries. As children grow, their need for privacy, intimacy and autonomy also increases. In order for them to develop their discernment skills, they have to make mistakes from which they will learn life lessons.
4. To enjoy your children’s adolescence, organize family activities that are suitable for everyone
Going out for a bite to eat, cooking or cycling can be activities to share and relax with. In addition, you can instruct your children not to use the telephone or computer during the hours you spend together with the family, unless their use is necessary. Let’s not forget that the time we spend together as a family is precious.
5. Admit your mistakes
As a parent, you want to be a role model for your children, but to set a good example, you don’t have to always be “blameless”. If that’s the case, you have to acknowledge your mistakes.
You are human and as such you have the right to make mistakes and the duty to apologize. Show your children that you, like them, live by constantly learning new things and that you can help them using your experience.
How to enjoy your child’s adolescence: some tips to put into practice
- Try to have a good relationship with your children’s friends. Invite them home and try to get to know them. This way you will know who they hang out with and have more conversation topics.
- Share hobbies or interests with your children. Whether it’s art, sports, technology, or an activity that motivates them, these are perfect times to share time with them and enjoy your child’s adolescence.
- Always ask how their day went and talk to them about yours. These small details make the difference and open the doors of trust and dialogue.
- Never go to sleep without saying good night to your children. Take advantage of this moment to see if there is something that worries or saddens them.
- Tell your children about family anecdotes and things you did when you were young. Family stories make them feel part of a team.
- When you have lunch or dinner try to do it all together.
As you have seen, it is the small actions that make the difference and allow you to face the stage of adolescence of your children in a healthy way. While there may be clashes at times, don’t make your home a battleground. Dialogue, teamwork and assertive communication will be your best allies.
