It is a well known and discussed fact that teens are turbulent creatures, they have a mind of their own, which seems to change every day. You cannot pet or scold little John or Mary like you used to do even a few days before. They need privacy and space and lots of amends in the household rules. It is herein that careful parenting is needed to mould your teen into a responsible and independent person. You cannot indulge in their fancies as you run the risk of making them vain, arrogant, and irresponsible. Leaving them on their own is also similarly risky as it is easy to be misled as young adults. Engaging them too much makes them dependent and introvert. So what is the best approach towards parenting? Read on to know more.
Loving your teen
As a teenager, your child is facing a rather tough time outside the boundaries of their homes. Remember this and be loving and caring towards them. An unconditional support system at home always leads to confident, strong individuals who are ready to shoulder their responsibilities. Always being skeptical or discouraging about something that your teen says or does is defiantly not a good way of parenting. Try to look at events from their perspective, and then try and give a solution or suggestion in a way that shows you do care from them. Do not over pamper your teens as they are no longer the tots they used to be. Give them small responsibilities and tasks and see them growing up maturely.
Being patient
It is easy for you to set standards, but as rebellious young adults, it is quite difficult for them to follow the suit. It is your duty, as part of parenting that you should stay calm and patient during the process to let the benefits roll in.
Remember you are the example your child is likely to follow the most
All said and done, the fact remains that you are probably the closest resemblance of the person that your teen is likely to grow into. Try to overcome your shortcomings, or at the best, shield them in front of the young ones. They are more likely to learn from the way you conduct yourself, than anything you keep on saying. Having said that, don’t fake in front of your teens as they are pretty smart. No one is perfect, but being a good human being is all that matters the most.
Increasing the joys of parenting
It is often said that good parenting is like nurturing little saplings. You will have to water them and nourish them but never expect it to flourish instantly. So if all your efforts of making your teen more responsible and mature are not bearing the results you would have liked to see, please be a little patient. Indulge in more quality family time, try doing things like cooking up dishes that the young man or lady prefers, and see them turn into happy babies they once were. After all, they are and always will be the same in your eyes.