5 Teenage Parenting Mistakes

Teenage is a very difficult phase both from the point of view of parenting and being a teenager; you as a parent find that teenagers are no longer kids, but want you. They are moodier, with your having to deal with new things like curfews, dating, new drivers, and friends.  Teenagers test parent’s patience limit. Here are a few teenage parenting mistakes and ways to overcome them.

5 teenage parenting mistakes

1) Parents expect the worst from teenagers: This parenting mistake makes parents look at parenting teenagers as an ordeal with a feeling of helplessness in dealing with them.  Such parents only fail to understand that this attitude sets the base for many unhappy and dissatisfying years ahead; our doubts change into reality and the teenagers soon take to such risky behavior.

The solution lies in focusing on the interests and hobbies of our teenager even if we fail to understand it; this will set the ground for a new path of communication and we can reconnect with the teenager we love and learn more.

 

2) Reading too many parenting books: This is not to say that reading these books are wrong, but it is definitely wrong when parents tie themselves into knots trying to follow advice given in those book and do not trust their own instincts. Books can never replace the innate skill of parents; they can only give a perceptive on confusing behavior and to get clear of what matters to your family.

3) Sweating over small stuff: It is futile to sweat over minor issues like the choice of clothes or the haircut your teenager may have; take into account the larger picture and allow your teenager to make age appropriate decisions and to learn from the consequences of their choice. Parents need to learn to stand back and allow teenagers to learn; too much protection from the realities of life would only deprive our teenagers of the valuable opportunities to learn.  

4) Ignoring the big stuff: Though it is best for teenagers to learn the consequences even in case of small things, it is wrong for parents to step back and not take action for big stuff like alcohol or drugs; parents need to be involved with their children in this critical stage and not neglect big issues as normal part of teenage. Parents need to watch out for unexplained changes in your teen’s behavior, appearance, academic performance, and friends; they also need to watch out for unfamiliar pills, pipes, rolling papers, or matches that could be illicit drugs. 

5) Too much or too little discipline: Parenting teenagers is about balancing obedience and freedom; teens raised in rigid environments lose on developing problem solving and leadership skills, while too less of discipline also doesn’t work. As a parent we need to set and communicate family core values through words and actions. 

Lastly your influence as a parent runs deeper than you think and most teens feel they have to spend time with parents and are the best people to go to in case of need. 

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