The stereotype of a typical American teenager is not very encouraging. American movies, tv shows, jokes, books, and even social media tend to portray adolescents as moody, irresponsible, lazy, or rebellious. Interestingly, eastern cultures tend to view adolescence more positively and as a time of learning how to become responsible and fulfill family obligations. You might wonder why stereotypes should
Read moreLet’s admit it: teens are not easy to express love to. Between their eye-rolling at things you say and actively avoiding any hugs, you might be wondering how on earth you can genuinely show some love to that child who used to cuddle in your lap. Fortunately, researchers have found an answer: reciprocal self-disclosure. That’s a big phrase, but all
Read moreDuring adolescence, teenagers begin to pull away from their families in order to define who they are as individuals. As a result, teens are extremely sensitive to parental control. It’s easy for them to feel micromanaged, over-lectured, and over-advised. Children who feel they are being controlled either become dependent or rebellious – neither of which is desirable. As a parent,
Read moreParenting teens is not an easy task, and with the New Year upon us, you might be considering a resolution to be a better parent. We have the perfect idea for you! Research has shown that improving just one particular thing in your parenting style will improve your entire relationship with your teen. What is that one thing? Better communication!
Read moreThanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect on all the things in our life that make us grateful. If you have teenagers in your life, you might be experiencing a wide range of emotions as you raise them, and gratitude might not always be the first one you can think of. Certainly, teens can be frustrating, moody, and push all
Read moreAny parent with a teenager in their home knows that it is not an easy task to get them to talk and share. Conversing with a teen can be filled with one-word responses and plenty of eye-rolling. But if you feel that your teen is particularly remote or resists almost any positive communication with you, you might be making some
Read moreNone of us love hearing everybody else’s opinions on things we do, like, and say. It’s a rare person who welcomes comments on all of their actions, decisions, statements, and preferences. Teens are no different, but parents still tend to regularly offer many unsolicited opinions. Consider these statements from teens who were interviewed on the subject: “They comment on literally
Read moreRegardless of the generation, teenagers have often used music as a way to relax, bond with friends, and develop their own identities. There is something delightful to youth in blaring a particularly great song. Equally as common, parents hate the “loud noise.” They find the lyrics too offensive, the volume too loud, and the songs too chaotic. It seems each
Read moreIt may come as a surprise for some parents to learn that most teens are suffering from a strong case of self-doubt or poor self-image. In fact, a person’s self-concept is usually lower during the adolescent years than at any other time in life. With so many social pressures swirling around them at an important developmental milestone, teenagers are particularly
Read moreWhen a child hits adolescence (beginning about 12-years-old), it’s time for parents to stop making decisions for them and start making decisions with them. Transitioning from your child’s decision-maker to your teen’s guide is not easy for any parent, but it’s necessary to maintain a good relationship with your teen as well as prepare them for adulthood. When our children were little, we managed
Read moreIt’s a normal rite of passage for teens to date, and while it can cause parents some worry, dating helps young people learn to get along with others, communicate, negotiate, make decisions, and learn to be assertive. But parental concern can become a bigger issue if you genuinely don’t like your teen’s choice in dating partner. It’s important to remember
Read moreDuring adolescence, youth are trying to figure out who they are, establish their independence, and express themselves all while dealing with significant hormone fluctuations and peer pressure. Every child handles these challenges differently. Unfortunately, in some teens, this process can cause them to act out in an angry, argumentative, withdrawn, or rebellious manner. Parenting a defiant teen is hard, and
Read moreAs parents, we tend to worry about raising our child “correctly,” we want to fix everything our child is not doing well, and we fear the potential pitfalls and rebellion that adolescence brings. In fact, we can become so focused on all the challenges that parenting presents, we can forget to simply enjoy our evolving relationship with our child. It’s
Read moreWhen a child goes off to college, parents are left with an empty nest. For them, everything stayed the same, but there is an empty space left by their child’s absence. They miss them deeply. When school breaks come, parents are excited to see their student and for everything to feel normal again. Imagine their disappointment when their student acts
Read moreAdolescence is a time of massive change, and it can be very disconcerting to parents. Teens love to shock people with wild opinions, boundary-pushing fashion, and risky behaviors. Parents are eager to protect their children, and some of teens’ behaviors rub against social norms and sometimes safety. So, when confronted with undesirable behaviors, what should a parent do? As a
Read moreWe often have great expectations for the holidays. We want perfect gatherings with all of our extended family, laughing and sharing special moments. The reality is often a bit messier than that, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on a great holiday. You just have to make wise choices that prioritize peace. To create family harmony
Read moreWhen a child exhibits unwanted behavior – whether it’s rebellion, substance abuse, aggression, self-harm, or falling grades – parenting can feel overwhelming. It’s very common for parents to feel stressed, anxious, and exhausted when dealing with a difficult teen. You might find yourself consumed with worry and tracking your teen’s every movement and mood. If that’s you, it’s important to
Read moreBetween school, homework, part-time jobs, social outings, and extracurricular activities, adolescents are always on the go. Sometimes it’s hard to coordinate parents and teens to be in the house together for more than a few minutes! Since our families are so busy, many of us have turned eating into an afterthought. Everyone just grabs what they can whenever they are
Read moreParenting advice comes from all sorts of sources and often feels contradictory. Be involved in your children’s lives! But not TOO involved! To be honest, it’s a fine line that’s hard to find. Both consistent under-involvement and over-involvement in a teen’s life can be detrimental to their mental wellbeing and academic performance. It’s best when parents can find that sweet
Read moreChildren, especially adolescents, are masters of pushing boundaries. It’s actually a normal part of development for children to test limits, break rules, rebel against expectations, and do anything to avoid punishment. Although this behavior is irritating for parents, it’s important to realize that children are actually learning through this process. By recognizing this is a normal part of childhood, parents
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