Congratulations! Well done Mom and Dad, you’ve survived the terrible twos (and threes!).
You’ve weathered meltdowns over sandwich crusts (on or off!), scrubbed spaghetti stains from the wall, and stiff-upper-lipped it through the loudly inquisitive “Do you have a penis or vagina?” years. You did good!
And then – adolescence – boom! It truly happens in the blink of an eye. Whether your child is an early bloomer or a late arriver, the fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone will not only have an impact on their bodies and minds, but also on their behaviour. Truth is, the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood can be a turbulent time. Here’s the thing Mom and Dad… they will push your buttons, come on, it’s their job!
That being said, teenagers are incredible. They are funny, quirky and smart, and desperately need to be loved and validated.
So, as you become an expert on the power of hormones, here’s our set of “rules” for raising teens:
- Love them fiercely. Let them know that you adore them. What a privilege to witness such glorious growth, right? All this imperfection is one day going to yield a responsible adult and you are part of al this! Just love ’em.
- Say “yes” more. Be the “YES YOU CAN” in their lives. From here on, they will be swimming in stormy seas and constantly feel as if they are not good enough. Be the opposite voice in their lives for as long as you can. Let them leave your house every day feeling invincible.
- Say “no” often. Be the parent. Don’t allow them to go to parties where they will be forced to make a choice about alcohol at 16. Don’t let them stay out until three in the morning with the opposite sex. Set up rules for their safety, both physical and moral, and follow through with consequences.
- Be gentle, emotions are fragile; handle with care.
- Pick your battles. Before you open your mouth to yell at the heap of clothes in the middle of the floor, find out about their day first. Put your arms around your big sweaty kid and talk to him about his world, his dreams. THEN, and only then, ask him to pick it up. This way they will know that when you ask, it needs to be done.
- Feed them, a lot. And their friends too. They are developing at an astonishing rate and their bodies need the right fuel to do so. Make sure that their friends feel welcome in your home.
- Listen, don’t lecture. They need to come to you. If you approach them, they will disagree. Always.
- Respect their privacy and try not to feel rejected by their newfound independence.
- Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need to.
Remember Mom and Dad, take a deep breath and always try to keep your sense of humour. You’re doing great!
Who knows, this could be your favourite phase yet!
Source: www.psychologytoday.com, www.radicalparenting.com, www.circleofmoms.com, www.onlineparenting.com, www.webmd.com, www.popsugar.com, www.webmdboots.com, www.relate.org.uk, www.aha-now.com, www.blogher.com, www.family-stress-relief-guide.com, www.wikihow.com, www.aacap.org, www.newportacademy.com, healthcare.utah.edu, kidshealth.org, www.chicagonow.com, www.upworthy.com
