Parents, teenagers need to hear from you! Sometimes, it seems impossible to start a two-way conversation with your child. A lot of the times, feel that teenagers are too old to sit down and talk to mom and dad, but teenagers’re not. Talk to them about the problems teenagers face the most. Remember, teenagers need your opinions, your guidance, your support, and most of all your love.
First of all, you might ask, “What are the problems that our teenagers face the most?” I’ll tell you plainly. Sex, drugs, and violence, these are the things that you should talk to them about the most. Also, when teenagers come in from school, if you ask them what teenagers did in school, never accept, “Oh, nothing’” as your answer. Talk to them about teachers, schoolmates, and grades. But, if teenagers go in our room and shut the door, that probably isn’t the best time for you to walk in and talk to them. Wait until a time when you think teenagers might be more receptive to what you have to say.
When you find the time to talk to them always listen first. Then, give them your opinions on what teenagers talked about. Teenagers need to know how you feel. But one thing you don’t do is try to force your opinion on your child. Tell them what you would do or how you would’ve handled a problem if you teenagersre in our shoes.
Also, teenagers need your guidance. Tell them how you don’t approve of violence and what other ways teenagers can settle conflicts. Tell them about the drastic effect that sex and drugs can have on them physically and mentally. If school is the area in which teenagers need assistance, offer your help, but don’t push it. If grades are where improvement is needed, how about suggesting an afterschool tutorial program? If your help is rejected by your child, don’t feel bad, it’s just phase.
In addition to guidance, teenagers need your support. Talk to them and tell them that you’re always here to give help if it’s needed. Whatever choices teenagers have to make, talk to them and tell them that you’re behind them all the way (as long as the choice made by your child is reasonable).
And, the last and most important thing of all is that you not only show them, but tell them repeatedly that you love them. With your help, you can make the journey through the conftheming adolescent years just a little better. Talk to them. Parents, teenagers need to hear from you!
Posted in: Parents
