Adolescence | Caring Families

The multi-role parent

The transition between children to teenager can be hard on the parent. You may not feel like you have a relationship with your child anymore. You have multiple jobs now as your child is a teenager.

Learn to connect with the person your teenage daughter or son has become. No longer does your daughter play with baby dolls, but there are still a lot of ways to connect with her. Your children may not be the young child you remember that do not let that prevent you from having a relationship with them.

Even though your child is no longer following your every move, they are working to balance their friends, family, school activities, homework, and a part time job. It is important for them to learn about responsibility and discipline. Instead of trying to help them, let them work though everything they have. You can still open your house to their friends, attend parent-teacher conferences, and go to their football games or school play. Learn to monitor how your children are doing without dictating what activities they do.

Creating rules for your teens can help both you and your teen. You are not a bad parent if you set house rules or expectations for their behavior. Set the rules and then make sure you talk to your teenagers about why they have a curfew or why their homework needs to be done before they watch television. Make sure your tv is also kid-friendly. Go to www.direct.tv for more information about kid-friendly packages.

Set an example of how you want your teenagers to live. Remember that they will be watching you every step of the way. This does not mean you cannot make mistakes, but you are role model in their life.

Filed Under: Families, Relationships Tagged With: Adolescence, Child, Parent

Teaching Your Teen How To Drive ? Useful Tips Below

Image by MuseumofWorldCulture via Flickr

Being a full-time parent of a teenaged person can be a very stressful task. The fact that you have to teach your child how to drive is only going to increase the stress and pressure involved in parenting. Many parents have horror stories to relate about their attempts to teach their teenage children to drive.

If you want to avoid such complications, it is advisable to keep track of the following precautions and carry out the same when you begin your driving lessons.

The first and the most important step is to protect your teenager from injuries. Choose an empty parking lot that is not going to get filled anytime soon. Try lessons early in the morning or late at night. In this way, you can avoid accidents that may cause severe injury to your teenage child’s health or confidence.

Secondly, be ready for damage to your vehicle. Needless to say, it does not make sense to try and train your teenaged child in driving using your brand new sports car. If you can, borrow a used vehicle from your friend with a promise that you will repair any damage that takes place. An accident is inevitable. The best option is to cut the cost of the damage by using all measures and solutions possible.

Thirdly, never train your teenaged child alone. You will discover that your child’s lack of concentration drives you crazy. Simply having a cousin or friend at the back seat will encourage your child to focus harder. Remember, teenaged children are very competitive and will pay more attention if they fear that they may be bested by another teenaged person.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Child, Parent

Teenage Complications ? Ensure No Harm Is Done To Educational Aspirations

Image via Wikipedia

The problems and complications of adolescence are temporary. Your child may be transformed from an understanding human being into a selfish and self-centered individual during teenage. He or she may lose respect for elders and may behave in a rebellious manner. All these issues can be taken care of provided there is no long lasting damage.

Poor performance in education can have a huge impact on the self esteem of the individual. Teenage can be a vulnerable time where the individual may end up believing that he or she is of no use whatsoever. In such a scenario, it is the job of the parent to keep the self esteem high. The child may conclude that he or she is bad at studies and may stop studying.

He or she may stay ensconced in the room for hours at a stretch but may come out with hopeless grades to shout or yell at the teenager and to scold the poor performance is only going to aggravate matters. Your overreaction is only going to convince the teenager that he or she cannot succeed. This can be a particularly frustrating experience because you may be aware of the full potential of your teenager.

Focus on minimizing the damage. Try to anticipate the shift in self esteem levels and work towards the same. Encourage your teenager to participate in a sport or any other activity that he or she may be good at. Public appreciation from outside the family will always matter a lot more to the teenager. Do whatever it takes to get your teenager to focus back on studies.

Filed Under: Families, Parenting, Relationships Tagged With: Adolescence, Child, Self-esteem

Finding a Home the Whole Family Loves

Families move for many reasons; changes in career, sicknesses, financial difficulties, and more. Smart parents realize that a move from one neighborhood to another is very difficult, especially for children and teens. Taking a few precautions can ensure that the experience of changing homes is a good one.

Have a Family Meeting

If you have ever seen an old family sitcom, you know that family meetings are pretty much the only way to make important decisions. Bad feelings over a house or the room a kid has to sleep in can put a dark cloud over what could be a happy experience. Having a family meeting can possibly prevent this from happening.

Listen to Concerns

Parents can earn tons of emotional points if they listen to the concerns of all the family members, from the youngest to the oldest, and sincerely take them into consideration. Getting information from an association management company may provide a list of neighborhood amenities that will aid the family in making decisions.

Vote

Democracy can be a good thing. When all the members of the family feel like they have been heard, it makes it easy to accept decisions. Work together and find a compromise. For instance, if little Suzie is the only one who wants a pool and is heartbroken that she won’t get it, try lobbying in her behalf for a bigger room, a dog, a reading nook in her room, or something else that will make moving into the new house a pleasant experience. Stressful situations are actually great opportunities to build relationships with children and teens.

Filed Under: Families, Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Family, Home

Rules should not stop when your teen turns 13

Parenting should not stop when your children become teenagers. Instead, the way that you discipline your children should help your teens learn boundaries and responsibility. When you set the rules, makes sure you sit down with your teenager and talk about the rules, why they have been set, and what the consequences are if they break those rules.

When you and your partner sit down to set the rules, make sure that both parents agree with the rules and are familiar with the consequences. If you show that both parents are on the same page, your teen would be able to weed his or her way out of the rules. Set rules about homework, friends, curfew, driving and dating.

When you are trying to set rules for your teen, it may be wise to make the rules with your child. You do not have to give up all control, but it will help the teen see that they have some saw in the rules, discipline and rewards. Do not be afraid to disagree with them, but if they do not seem helpful remember that you are still the parent and your final word is law.

Whether your teen arrives home an hour later or if you find out they are not doing well in school, do not wait to discipline your children. When you sat down and established the rules, you should have also established the consequences to those rules. Do not wait for your teen to come to you about breaking your rules.

Instead, go to them tell them you know they are not doing well and stick to the consequence. If your child is not doing well in school, you may need to rearrange your schedule in order to available to make sure your child does study and get homework done. Remember that positive feedback is also great in building confidence in your teen and having a relationship with them. If they are doing something right, let them know.

Filed Under: General, Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Child, Parent

Parent and teen relationships – more than just disagreements

With voices raised, tempers flying and doors slamming shut, it may seem like your relationship with your teenager will never be the same. Unfortunately, you are probably right. Your teenager is trying to find out whom they are. Instead of letting the arguments win, wave the white flag. Do not let the disagreements or fights you have with your teens prevent and damage the relationship you have with your teenager.

You do not have to give up on your disagreements especially if you were right, but remember that teens are going through growing stages. Not only are they changing physically, but they also are developing emotional and mentally. If the fight started because of an idea or a person issue they feel strongly about, talk to them about why they are passionate about it. If the argument was about on the rules, talk to them, but you are the parent and you make the decisions.

Even if the conversation maybe hard at first, try and practice talking with your teen. IF you do not think you have anything in common, your teen will notice that. Instead, try to talk to your teens about everyday stuff. Show an interest in their life. You do not have to solve their problems or give them advice. Many times, teenagers actually do want to talk to someone about their day or any problems they have. Make it easy for them to talk to you by giving them the opportunity to do so. If they are not getting advice from you, they will find help from other sources.

Filed Under: Counseling, Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Parent, Talk radio

Parents are the key to preventing their teens from driving under the influence

Various studies over the years have shown that parents can indeed help prevent their teens from driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Parents can help by talking to their children about the risks and establishing a relationship with their children. Even if you do not think your teens listen to you when you talk, you may be surprised what your children will decide when they are put into situations when they have to make important decisions.

Teens are at risk for being involved in a car accident because either they drove drunk or the driver was drunk. In a study called “Unsafe driving by America high school senior,” they found that 30% of seniors had driven after drinking at least two week prior to the survey. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that alcohol related driving fatalities decreased 58% from 1991 to 2009. The research looked specifically at reports of incidences involving those less than 21 years old.

Various studies have found that teens do indeed listen to their parents. In a study called The TRU Study in 2006, they found that 57% of teens said family was the most important thing in their lives. Family bet out friends and school influences. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found from their National Survey on Drug Use and Health Illicit Drug Use conducted in September 2008, that teens who parents talk to them about drug and alcohol use are more likely to remain drug-free than whose parents do not talk to them about the risks.

Do not let your children learn about alcohol or drugs at school. Sit down and talk to them about the risks and your expectations. Give them the support they need to make the right choice.

us studies over the years have shown that parents can indeed help prevent their teens from driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Parents can help by talking to their children about the risks and establishing a relationship with their children. Even if you do not think your teens listen to you when you talk, you may be surprised what your children will decide when they are put into situations when they have to make important decisions.

Various studies have found that teens do indeed listen to their parents. In a study called The TRU Study in 2006, they found that 57% of teens said family was the most important thing in their lives. Family bet out friends and school influences. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found from their National Survery on Drug Use and Health Illicit Drug Use conducted in September 2008, that teens who parents talk to them about drug and alcohol use are more likely to remain drug-free than whose parents do not talk to them about the risks.

Do not let your children learn about alcohol or drugs at school. Sit down and talk to them about the risks and your expectations. Give them the support they need to make the right choice.

Filed Under: Care, Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Driving under the influence, Parent

Cool Summer Classes for Teens

Are you tired of having your teenager just lay around all summer, or worse, just going out and getting drunk and high all the time? While a person’s personality is pretty well formed up by the time they are a teenager, sometimes that person can still improve if they are encouraged to do so. This usually means switching up their routines and introducing them to new people and new ways of thinking. Through summer classes, you can do a lot to help your teenager get onto a better path, or even reinforce a good path that they are already on. Let’s check out some ideas for good classes for your teens.

There are arts classes which focus on more than just the craft aspect of the medium being considered. While taking a pottery class is good for hand-eye coordination, and can be good for getting your teen interested in a new hobby, they can do even better than just the physical aspect. When you create something, you first have to be able to see it, both inside your mind and outside. An art class can emphasize techniques, and that’s fine, but if it also puts an emphasis on being able to visualize and plan, it can be a boon to your teen’s entire thought process.

There are also business types of classes which a teen can take over the summer. While these may sound very boring, they can be extremely useful for teaching your teen how to do the necessary things in life, such as handling a checking account, opening a brokerage account, paying bills, spending within their means, and other crucial skills for being a successful adult. These types of classes, once you get past the “how to” aspect of them, tend to be very good places for teens to start feeling more like a responsible adult. While there is a lot of responsibility to running your own life, the additional freedom you gain from it more than make up for the additional challenges.

There are also acting classes which your teen can take. While acting is not often considered to be a necessary life skill, it has a lot of use in the real world. First off, acting tends to focus on non-verbal communication, which is a critical component of everyday relationships, as well as making sales and interviewing for jobs. In addition to that, acting can give a teen a creative outlet for the excess emotions they might be feeling, as opposed to trying to sublimate them until they explode at seemingly random times.

Another great idea is to have your teen take drivers ed direct courses. This type of class will be more than beneficial to your child. Even just a short drivers ed course can have your teen feeling confident behind the wheel, while even gaining knowledge on some driving essentials, from how to be a responsible driver to getting cheap car insurance.

While there are far too many classes to talk about without going into a very long list, there are plenty of options that are available to you and your teen. Just make sure that you get their input about what they want to do, both with this summer and with the (foreseeable) future of their lives. While this might seem like an impossible mission, sooner or later your teen is going to be on their own, and their future will be in their hands. Make a group decision.

Filed Under: Care, Families, Parenting Tagged With: Acting, Adolescence, Class (computer programming)

How to talk to your teenager about driving drunk

As a parent, you have a responsibility to look after your teenager even if they do not want you to. With drunken driving related car accidents being the number one killer of teenagers, it is important to talk to your children about drinking, the dangers, and setting boundaries that they must inhere to.

Knowledge is power so inform your teens of the dangers of driving drunk or letting someone drive drunk. Make sure you talk to your children. Do not let them discover the consequences the hard way. Instead, sit down with your child and set ground rules.

When talking to your teen, do not condone underage drinking. Be careful what you say and make it clear to them that you are not for underage drinking. It is important to make sure you know where your teen is going and when he or she will be back. Establishing a relationship with your teenagers will help them want to tell you the truth. Make sure you have your children call you if their plans change. Start these rules early before they become teenagers to build this essential step into their patterns.

It is also important that you know whom your teens are hanging out with. Allow your teens to invite their friends over the house. It is easier to build a relationship with them and their friends if you see them frequently. You do not always have to be under their hair, but you should be in the house with them. Make sure you establish the rules with your children about friends in your house. If the rules are clear, they are less likely to be broken.

In addition, establishing a relationship with your teen will give them someone to call if they do find themselves without a ride or drunk. Talk to your teen about this. Let them know that even though you do not condone underage drinking if they find themselves in a situation where they have been ask them to give you a ride home. This will prevent a tragedy from occurring.

Filed Under: Advice, Counseling Tagged With: Adolescence, Driving under the influence, Legal drinking age

College for Troubled Teens

As a parent, you want your child to attend college so they can become a successful adult. That’s just great for a lot of parents, but for those with troubled teens, it can be a source of great strain and heartache. But, online learning could very well be the opportunity that will help these teens to succeed.

Benefits of Online College

Online learning will help troubled teens in a variety of ways. First, if they have a hard time concentrating in class or they act out, they are now able to get the same amount of education outside of a classroom. This allows them to receive the same education as anyone else, but have it catered to their individual needs. It will also allow a parent to become more involved in their child’s education. This will help those children who struggle to keep track of their assignments or struggle to grasp the concepts that are presented to them.

Who it Will Help

Online learning is great for kids that have a hard time being in a classroom situation. Whether it’s because of the style of learning, the inability to concentrate, or the lack of personal attention, being able to work on their own terms can really help these students get a great education. They will also be able to take extra time completing assignments, because most online schools allow you to work at your own pace. This alleviates a lot of issues with kids who need a little extra time to completely grasp a subject. Online schools can also help those teens with learning disabilities. They can receive help from their parents or even a tutor as they do their coursework.

Online learning is great for a variety of people and situations. For some children, it could very well be the only way they can get a great education.

Filed Under: Counseling, General Tagged With: Adolescence, Education, Parent