How to parent teenagers?

By: Dr. Jennifer B. Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

Parenting in general can be difficult, even though there are many positives to parenting. The bond between the child and the parent, for example, can often be the most rewarding part of becoming a parent for many. For others, it is the joy of caring for someone who will continue on the family bloodline and watching the person grow from an infant into a healthy adult who is a successful addition to society. However, parenting is not all joy. It takes time, patience and a whole lot of commitment. This is why it is stressed that before anyone chooses to become a parent, they seriously think about it before making the choice.

If the choice is made to become a parent, there are many stages that their child will go through before they are an adult. Throughout these various stages there are many good times, but there can also be a lot of difficult times. One stage, however, that many parents will complain about is the dreaded teenage years. Everyone has heard the horror stories of their teenage children becoming pregnant, getting into drugs or becoming too much to handle in the home. Here is the truth about these kinds of problems; none of these have to happen. Proper education, spending time with the children and showing that they have someone to talk to who will support them no matter what, and who have a good bond with their parent will most likely not have any of these problems. Most children who have a healthy relationship with their parents are more likely to succeed in life and not run into those kinds of problems. Communicating with the kids and being supportive of them will encourage a better relationship, while poor communication and lack of support can often lead to teenagers getting into trouble.

Teenagers are in a critical stage where they are changing in many ways before they become full adults. These kinds of changes, including changes in the hormones as well as in some chemicals in the brain can often lead to the typical teenage behavior that most are familiar with. Being more a friend, and this term is used lightly because they still need a parent, than an overbearing parent will tend to yield a positive response from the teenager. Online therapists and counselors are available online for any parents who may be having trouble with their teenagers. Seeking help in the form of advice and suggestions before any real problem builds is always the best thing to do. The online therapist or counselor can help the parent to diffuse a volatile situation and help the parent and teenager to build a better understanding of each other. It is possible to have a healthy relationship with a teenage kid; it just takes patience and understanding from the parent as well as some patience and understanding from the teenager. Online counselors and therapists can work with the parent and the kid to build a stronger relationship that will help to bring more positivity in the home. Continued negativity in the home will only lead to a worse situation.

Everyone has heard the horror stories of their teenage children becoming pregnant, getting into drugs or becoming too much to handle in the home. Here is the truth about these kinds of problems; none of these have to happen.

Jennifer B. Baxt, LMHC, LMFT offers online audio/video counseling as well as works with children, individuals, couples, geriatric patients, depression, bipolar, anxiety and substance abuse. Please contact Complete Counseling Solutions via email jennifer@completecounselingsolutions.com or visit our website http://www.completecounselingsolutions.com for any further information.

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