The teenage years of a child present some of the most strenuous challenges for parents. The teen years are a phase of ardent growth not only emotionally but also intellectually and physically. It’s a time of confusion and tension for many parents in this ever-changing world.
What happens during the teenage years?
Some teens push parents away and become absorbed into their peer groups.
They can be risk-takers and often have a deficient judgement of keeping themselves safe.
They gradually cease communicating with parents.
They become resistant to rules that they used to adhere to.
They are highly critical to parent’s comments.
At this point, it may feel helpless because you feel rejected by your child whom you raised to this point and love unconditionally. You may not fully comprehend what is happening to your child.
On the brighter side teenagers can be marvelous in the following ways:
They are full of energy, enthusiasm, fun, passion, and creativity.
You can relate to them on a more adult level with in terms of intellectual capacity.
They experience intense growth and maturity to increase the capability to function in the world.
You ought to remember this process toward maturity occurs in an uneven progression. Patience is highly required by both the parent and teenager.
What goes on with teenage parents?
At this time parents go through their adjustments and are also growing while struggling with challenges in their lives brought about by their teenage children.
Parents often grapple to reconcile the expectation of what they had thought their child would be with the reality of the actual child they have. Due to this, they feel disappointed, angry, or even sad that their teenager is not what they envisioned.
How to cope with this?
The parents have to come to terms with reality and accept the child as they are.
Do not micromanage them to meet the expectation you had of them because it will only invite resistance and rebellion. You ought to begin to let go of the rope gradually by finding new ways to connect with them by knowing who they are.
Parents also ought to be flexible with the initial rules set to accommodate the growth of the teenager in terms of judgment, ability, and independence.
Parenting can be difficult due to some of the reasons mentioned above. Ultimately, children learn from you by watching and emulating their actions. Setting a positive example goes a long way as action speaks louder than words.
