Get Connected with Other Parents The best way to inform yourself of the changes your teen is going through is by connecting with the parents of other teens.
By joining a support group either locally or online will help you network with other parents who are going through the same ups and downs of raising their teens.
Not only can you gain some worthwhile advice, but you can also learn how to be prepared for various situations that arise with your teen.
Also consider reading books or online sources that can offer you different perspectives on how to handle your teen accordingly.
Remember that you will ultimately have to choose what is right for your teen and your family.
Your parenting style should reflect the morals and values you believe in and what you want to pass on to your teen.
Letting Your Teen Make Choices While you may be longing for the days where a quick hug would make things all better, your teen will continue to seek independence.
Let your teen begin making certain choices that will not negatively affect her well-being.
Good examples to start with are by letting your teen do a shopping trip at the supermarket or choose a movie to watch as a family.
As your teen begins to display that he can make good decisions, you can begin to award your teen more freedom.
Allow your teen to take part in making decisions with you as well, such as where to go on a family vacation or what educational courses to take.
The goal is to gradually give your teenager more freedom so that eventually he is able to make smart and effective decisions on his own.
Giving Your Teen Privacy Sometimes the parents of teens worry about what their child is up to and therefore feel compelled to do a bit of snooping.
While it's important to be a parent who is aware of what's going on in your teen's life, it's also important to allow your teen some privacy.
After all, you want to show your teen respect as she begins to grow into an adult.
As you give your teen more freedom, also allow for more privacy.
Give your teenager space while talking on the phone, visiting with friends or using the computer.
Privacy, like freedom, should be given to teens in small amounts.
As they prove to be handling their privacy appropriately, give a little bit more over time.
Your teen may think that he has the world figured out, but it's still up to you to keep him safe and protected.
Remember that privacy is different than secrecy.
While your teen has a right to his privacy, he also needs to be open and honest with you.
To keep the lines of communication open, be an active part in your teen's everyday life.
By joining a support group either locally or online will help you network with other parents who are going through the same ups and downs of raising their teens.
Not only can you gain some worthwhile advice, but you can also learn how to be prepared for various situations that arise with your teen.
Also consider reading books or online sources that can offer you different perspectives on how to handle your teen accordingly.
Remember that you will ultimately have to choose what is right for your teen and your family.
Your parenting style should reflect the morals and values you believe in and what you want to pass on to your teen.
Letting Your Teen Make Choices While you may be longing for the days where a quick hug would make things all better, your teen will continue to seek independence.
Let your teen begin making certain choices that will not negatively affect her well-being.
Good examples to start with are by letting your teen do a shopping trip at the supermarket or choose a movie to watch as a family.
As your teen begins to display that he can make good decisions, you can begin to award your teen more freedom.
Allow your teen to take part in making decisions with you as well, such as where to go on a family vacation or what educational courses to take.
The goal is to gradually give your teenager more freedom so that eventually he is able to make smart and effective decisions on his own.
Giving Your Teen Privacy Sometimes the parents of teens worry about what their child is up to and therefore feel compelled to do a bit of snooping.
While it's important to be a parent who is aware of what's going on in your teen's life, it's also important to allow your teen some privacy.
After all, you want to show your teen respect as she begins to grow into an adult.
As you give your teen more freedom, also allow for more privacy.
Give your teenager space while talking on the phone, visiting with friends or using the computer.
Privacy, like freedom, should be given to teens in small amounts.
As they prove to be handling their privacy appropriately, give a little bit more over time.
Your teen may think that he has the world figured out, but it's still up to you to keep him safe and protected.
Remember that privacy is different than secrecy.
While your teen has a right to his privacy, he also needs to be open and honest with you.
To keep the lines of communication open, be an active part in your teen's everyday life.