Parenting Teens: What Parents Need to Learn Before Their Child Enters Teenage Years

Parenting children approaching teenage years can be very challenging and to some, frightening. The years of being the strongest influence on them is at the risk of coming to an end as they are about to enter a stage wherein parents will have to move down from being the number one priority.

Before that transition day comes it is best for parents to have the confidence that they have prepared their precious ones enough to make it to the big world. What's important is that they have fully established their children from within so that whatever comes ahead may not lead them to compromise their values. Below are some helpful tips.

Be more involved

It helps doubling parents' efforts in being hands-on to their children's stuff from their ideas on clothes to their expectations in life. It is important however to do it not in an authoritarian approach as this is the point when children tend to enjoy exercising their independence.

Make them feel heard

Parents' attentiveness to what their children say shows their involvement on their children's ideas. This will give children the feeling of security thereby boosting their self-esteem. This will ensure that they will not be easily tossed to and fro by peer pressures, according to Parenting.

Equip them before the battle

A lot of changes are awaiting children as they approach the teenage years; physically, intellectually, emotionally and even socially. Making them aware of what is going to take place and giving them pieces of advice on how to effectively face is the best help parents could give. Teaching children strategies in facing things when things are already taking place may mean starting late.

Update and upgrade

Generation gap should never be an issue between parents and teens. As they enter the pace of technology, it helps when parents also explore and see what their children are into. This also makes the children aware of the presence of parents' authority thereby making them more accountable on their actions, according to Kids Health.

Parenting children approaching teenage years can be an enjoyable part of life both to parents and children if proper preparation has been done.