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7 Steps to a
Terrific Relationship with Your Teen
By Julie Jordan Scott with Bianca Elizabeth
Scott
Loosen and tighten
reigns as your teen's behavior warrants it. Sometimes he will want to be 25
years old, and other times you will SWEAR he is 5 years old.
Simple Steps for keeping sane
while raising a Teen! Not just that, but be the KEWLEST parent around!
1. Find an activity that your
teen enjoys that you can do as a family, regardless of the age of the siblings
or other family members. For our family, its karaoke. Bianca, age 17 sings and
all the way down to Emma, age 2, we all grab the mic and show our
"stuff", thus creating silly memories for all!
2. Loosen and tighten reigns
as your Teen's behavior warrants it. Sometimes he will want to be 25 years old,
and other times you will SWEAR he is 5 years old. If he is acting in an
immature fashion, set firmer guidelines and rules. Without knowing it, he is
begging you for it. As his behavior improves, loosen the reigns. Base your grip
on his behavior, not on the calendar or his peers.
3. Communicate on a daily basis the specialness
of your Teen. She is not her grades. She is not her peer group. She is not her
extracurricular activities. She is a precious gift from God, who loves YOU with
all her heart, even as she is screaming at the top of her lungs in a hormone
induced frenzy.
4. Actively show concern for
your Teen in all her activities, not just the ones YOU enjoy most. Support him
in all that he does that is legal, ethical and moral. (And if he is doing
things that do NOT fall in this category, by all means STOP him! :-?
5. Be a Parent Your Teen and
her friends want to be around. Open your home to them. Have teen friendly
treats available. State the groundrules for visitors, and then expect them to
follow them. Appreciate your Teens friends as individuals deserving of respect,
just as you would treat your adult friends.
6. Participate in school
activities. Bianca loved it when (believe it or not) I brought cupcakes to
school on her 15th birthday. Enough for the entire band and drill team. Be
aware of the school calendar. Rearrange your schedule as possible for your
Teen, it will reap you many rewards.
7. Once a week, take your Teen
out alone for a cup of coffee, to see what is happening with her. Talk out any
problems, brainstorm solutions, offer concern, have Celebrations! This may be
the most special time of the week for her...and YOU too!
Hope you gleaned something
valuable from our Steps! Visit http://www.5passions.com
and discover more! Subscribe to Passion for Parenting and meet others who adore
their job as Mom and Dad! http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/passionsforparenting
Julie Jordan Scott is a
Freelance Writer and Public Speaker, but her favorite role is that of Mommy!
Visit her website at http://www.5passions.com
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Of course, like everything else in a teen’s life, expressing their
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When
Mealtime is the Dreaded Time of Day
Mealtime was the one time everyday when we came together as
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Parenting
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Discipline does not automatically mean punishment. Oftentimes, it involves
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The
Meanest Mother
We had the meanest mother in the whole world!
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