Parenting teenagers is no easy feat. Teenagers in the adolescent stage thrive on testing and challenging the authority figures in their lives. They often strive to achieve individuality and, at the same time, to gain peer acceptance. The teens years are not easy ones. They feel like they have to fit in and are always facing judgment from their peers. At this age, teenagers are subconscious about their appearance. For instance, braces can cause self-esteem issues, but their confidence will boost once they get them off. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about 4 million Americans wear braces today.

Setting up Clear Boundaries

Teenagers often want to explore what the world has to offer, they need independence to achieve this. Most teenagers become rebellious and defiant when you try to control their lives. Therefore, you need to establish an effective and efficient system that allows you to have control. Access to freedom for teenagers is extremely challenging, especially if you do not hold them accountable for their actions. Furthermore, it is important to establish boundaries that govern and control the movements of teenagers. This will help you establish functionality in your relationships. Boundaries are ground rules that need to be applied consistently to enhance control. The set boundaries also help you establish respect when parenting teenagers.

Communication

Effective and efficient communication is an important tool for parenting teenagers. You should make it your core goal to establish a strong bond with a teen. This way, the teen will be more comfortable reaching out to you when facing challenges rather than rebelling. Communication discourages defiance and enhances cooperation. This also allows you to have control over unexpected situations, preventing them from spiraling out of control. It is important to note that teenagers do not mean to be rude; they just get carried away sometimes and are unable to help it. Sometimes, they may even get caught up in the wrong crowd. This crowd can introduce drinking and drugs and for your child’s best interest, they’ll need to be steered clear of that. If your child falls into addiction, it is important to note that only 10% of Americans battling addiction seek treatment.

Humor and Empathy

Employing humor and empathy helps you deal with mild teenage situations better. Apprehensiveness and over-reacting will only get you so far. Teenagers feel attacked when you shout at them and call them out for their mistakes. Teenagers should be handled with a lot of care. Speaking to them in a soft tone helps you understand their behavior and draws them closer. They are also more responsive when you communicate with them using a soft tone. The use of humor and empathy is a subtle way of correcting improper behavior. Confronting teens immediately when they make mistakes aggravates you and causes anxiety. It is important to give yourself a bit of time to relax and compose yourself before initiating any kind of communication. Shouting and scolding teenagers only causes them to drift further away.

Accountability

Holding teens accountable for their actions is an important and effective parenting tool. This means that their defiant and rebellious actions have consequences. It is important to put up a firm front; this is an effective and efficient way of communicating with the teens. Letting them off the hook often with a warning will only encourage them to break more rules. Allowing difficult teens to face the consequences of their actions enhances cooperation. At times, they rebel by going to parties and drinking. But, a teen’s defiant action has consequences. For instance, you can be charged for driving under the influence if you are under 21 years, despite your BAC being below .08%.

Appreciation

Moreover, it is important to show teenagers appreciation to boost their morale. It also helps build their confidence, thus fostering a strong bond between you and your child. A teenager is less likely to be mischievous if you are constantly appreciating them for their good deeds. This is because they do not want to disappoint you and jeopardize your bond. This will also show your child they can be friends with you. Constant arguing causes your child to drift away from you. They will also be reluctant to share important information with you.

Dealing with teenagers is stressful. There is no one size fits all approach to follow when it comes to parenting teenagers. Creating a strong relationship is an important tip for ensuring that a teen is on the right track.