When your adolescent child acts defiantly, rebels, or withdraws, it is normal to feel angry, worried, upset, hurt, frustrated, or a mix of many emotions. In many ways, it’s so much easier to raise younger children because you are more in control of their lives. Parents of teens quickly realize that they have very little control over their teen’s behavior,
Read moreTeens can often come across as rude and disrespectful to their parents, teachers or other authority figures. Eye-rolling, backtalking, door slamming, dramatic sighing with a dash of know-it-all attitude can frustrate even the most patient adult. Understandably, many adults will respond by being rude and disrespectful back. Unfortunately, whenever a teen sees you being disrespectful, they assume that their behavior is
Read moreIf your child tells you that they are gender fluid, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ), you will likely feel a wide range of different emotions. It’s very normal for parents to feel stressed, confused, scared, or surprised, but no matter how you feel, don’t pull back from your child when you’re needed most! For many LGBTQ youth, breaking
Read moreIt is a natural human desire to have some sense of control over our own lives. Having control gives us a feeling of order, stability, and safety. Research consistently shows that when people believe they have choices and can change their circumstances, they feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future. We tend to fight against anyone, or any situation,
Read moreRaising teenagers has its highs and lows, but one of the fundamental things a child needs is a parent who stays consistent in showing them love and acceptance through good times and bad. Even as teens make mistakes or start to rebel, they still need the stability and support that comes from a parent who loves them for who they
Read moreThe thrill of victory, the agony of defeat! Regardless of whether you are a spectator or a participant, sports evoke strong emotions in us that are easy to get caught up in. It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. Hard enough are the tasks of helping your child learn how to handle the ups
Read moreHave you seen examples of parents shaming their kids on social media? Some parents share details about a teen’s misadventures on their Facebook page, call out troubling behavior on their teen’s Instagram, or announce escalating consequences for anyone to see. While this public behavior is dramatic, it’s actually not uncommon for parents to try to shame their children into better
Read moreA lot changes when your child turns 18-years-old, and it can be difficult for parents to know how to adjust their role. Technically, your teen has become an adult, and many of our systems – from medical practices to government offices – will no longer speak to you without the permission of your child. And yet, it’s not like a
Read moreLet’s face it: teenagers can be mean sometimes. They know their parents’ buttons and just how to push them. If your teen is lashing out at you, rest assured that you are not alone. Every parent has had their feelings hurt by the sharp tongue of their teenage son or daughter. While it feels absolutely terrible, in truth, this kind
Read moreThe majority of teens today struggle with poor self-image. Our culture and media are constantly feeding them messages that imply they are not enough – not good-looking enough, not cool enough, not smart enough, not rich enough, etc. Social media, in particular, encourages teens to compare themselves to everyone else’s highlight reel. Inside, many teens wonder if they are valued
Read moreAlthough our culture pushes the holidays as a joyous time, the reality can sometimes be different. Hectic schedules can make us feel stressed. There is pressure to spend money we don’t have for gifts. A change in the family, from divorce or death, can rekindle grief during this time. The winter weather can give us the blues. The change in
Read moreHousehold chores are a perfect way to teach youth responsibility and communicate that everyone in a household is expected to chip in to help the family. We cannot raise teens to become competent adults if we are always doing everything for them. Instead, we must equip them with the skills they need to take care of themselves and contribute to
Read moreResearch has shown that the maintenance of family traditions is far more important to children of all ages than most parents realize. Despite their eye-rolling, teens gain a sense of belonging through family rituals that make them part of a clearly defined unit and create lasting memories. While we often focus on creating traditions for December holidays, Thanksgiving can offer
Read moreRaising teens is not an easy task. Teens can be difficult to understand and to get along with, which means that conflict is bound to happen! If you want a more peaceful homelife or a teen who is more connected to the family, you should consider whether or not you are creating an environment that a teen wants to be
Read moreAdolescence is an emotional roller coaster, and it can seem like teens have over-the-top reactions. For parents, the constant turmoil can be frustrating. But, it’s important to understand that most teenage drama has to do with biology. Brain development and hormonal shifts lead to mood swings that are often beyond a teen’s ability to control. Some teen drama is a way to
Read moreParents of teens have a difficult job. We are somehow supposed to encourage open communication with a person who rolls their eyes, slams doors, and generally acts like we don’t know anything. It can feel difficult to know what to say or how to say it. In fact, communicating with teens can be so overwhelming, at times, that parents will
Read moreThe number of young adults in the United States who are living with a parent has increased significantly over the past couple of decades. In July 2022, half of adults ages 18 to 29 were living with one or both of their parents. While this was slightly lower than a recent peak in 2020 as a result of the pandemic,
Read moreTeenagers are not the easiest people to hold a conversation with. While it’s very normal and common for teens to separate from their parents, it can be frustrating and hurtful for parents when teens are distant or withdrawn. Parents often want to talk to their teens about school or their peers or possible trouble they need to avoid, but many
Read moreAs the holidays approach, many of us feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. While holidays have the potential for fun and special memories, they also have the potential for stress and family conflict that can take the joy out of the season. If one of the reasons for your holiday anxiety is because you dread your teen’s possible behavior,
Read moreResearch has shown that the maintenance of family traditions is far more important to children of all ages than most parents realize. Despite their eye-rolling, teens gain a sense of belonging through family rituals that make them part of a clearly defined unit. Simple things – such as sharing a special meal or wearing a holiday outfit or watching a
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