5 Tips to Enjoy Your Child’s Adolescence

Enjoying your child’s adolescence is not an impossible mission although many parents believe it is. You can handle all of your teenager’s physical and behavioral changes in a friendly way if you prepare for it.

That’s right, you also have to prepare yourself in order to experience this important phase they’re going through.

During adolescence, all the things that your child was familiar with begin to transform. They begin to see the world in a different way and sometimes they react to the unknown with reluctance and hostility.

There are some measures, however, that you can put in place in order to get the most out of this phase of your child’s life.

Remember that you’re the adult. As a father or a mother, your duty is to help your child become independent. Sure, it’s easier to be a friend or an accomplice but that isn’t what they really need.

Teenagers need your guidance, recommendations, lessons and friendship.

How to enjoy your child’s adolescence?

1. Keep calm when faced with adverse situations

No problem can be solved appropriately when stress dominates the situation. The healthiest thing for you and your teenager to do is step aside, take a deep breath and talk. As an adult, you need to act rationally and calmly.

1. Talk less and listen more

Everyone wants to be respectfully heard, especially adolescents. Be the kind of parent who is always willing to listen and give the necessary advice.

This doesn’t mean that you have to agree on everything, you just have to listen without interrupting them. Use your experience to help them resolve conflicts.

1. Respect boundaries

One of the biggest challenges that parents of teenagers face is respecting boundaries. As children grow, their need for autonomy and privacy also grows.

In order for them to develop their capacity for judgement, they will need many opportunities and mistakes to learn from.

1. Plan family activities that are fun for everyone

A bike ride, going out to eat or cooking together are all ideal moments to share and relax.

Have a rule that limits the use of cell phones and computers during family time unless it is essential. Family time is an invaluable treasure.

1. Admit your mistakes

As a parent, you always want to be a role model, but a good example is not just trying to be “perfect” – it’s also about recognizing your own mistakes. You’re human and you have the right to be wrong and the duty to apologize.

Show your children that you’re just like them, in a constant learning process. Show them that you can help them through your experience.

Some ideas to put into practice

• Try to have a good relationship with their friends. Get to know them and allow them to visit your house. This way you’ll know who they get along with and you’ll have an additional conversation topic.
• Share hobbies and interests with them. It could be art, sports, technology or an activity that motivates them. It’s a perfect excuse to spend time with your teenager.
• Ask them how their day went and tell them about yours. Small details can make a difference, open the door to trust and dialogue.
• Never go to sleep without saying goodnight. Take a minute before going to bed to find out if there is anything bothering them.
• Tell them family anecdotes and things they did when they were younger. Family stories can make them feel more included and important within the team.
• Make sure that the whole family is reunited when it’s time to eat.

As you can see, it’s the small details that can make the difference when it comes to coping well with your child’s adolescence.

Although there will be confrontations, your house doesn’t have to become a battlefield. Make dialogue, teamwork, discipline and understanding your best allies.