The fifth step to Peace of Mind Parenting is building lasting relationships. This step is about reinforcing trust, availability, understanding and observing your teen’s behavior. The following seven tips will get you started…
1. Spend 30 minutes with your teen each day.
Since teens aren’t yet emotionally developed, they can experience an emotional roller coaster every day. Spending time with your teen each day allows you to watch for behavior patterns, such as alienating him/herself from family or friends, a drop in grades, a lack of interest in favorite school activities or hobbies. Know the signs of risky behavior (to be discussed in
2. Make yourself available.
Set regular times for interaction so that your teen can count on a time to express his/her thoughts and feelings. Conversely, if your teen is not in the mood to share, don’t push the issue or take it personally. Saying, “I am here when you want to talk,” opens the door.
3. Be present.
Being truly present—really hearing what is communicated—fosters trust. If you are engrossed in a TV program, on the computer, or reading the paper, your teen will learn not to disturb you and go somewhere else to be heard.
4. Arrange weekly family meetings.
Family meetings give you a chance to reinforce your communication skills. Use the time to map
out what has happened in the past week and plan future goals. Also discuss behavior
expectations, rules, limitations and consequences.
5. Ask your teen for input and feedback.
Encouraging input and feedback from your teen is a good way of getting ideas for fair consequences. Plus, being included allows your teen to be clearer on the expectations and on board with the consequences of certain behaviors.
6. Know your teen’s friends.
As they say, “Birds of a feather flock together.” If your teen’s “friend” is drinking, smoking, or cutting school, you should have a serious conversation with your teen.
7. Use humor to deflect sticky situations.
Any issue can be brought to a non‐threatening level with the use of a good joke or witty response. Remember, sarcasm is passive aggressive and not the “humor” of choice. Instead try parody, satire, irony or even watching a funny show together to create levity.
As your coach, I can teach you how to read body language and give you other tools that can help.
Subscribe to Our Feed