So we all know how much parents joke about their fear of the teen years approaching, right? I don’t know how you feel about this stage of parenting, but I for one, totally get it! It’s not that I ever truly feared this stage, but more that I just felt it coming so fast! I swear, the days really are long, but the years are so short – I can hardly wrap my mind around the enormity of the paradox. I just can’t even.
Plus, now that my oldest daughter is 13, but I still have plenty of friends and family my age having babies, it sometimes gives me cognitive dissonance to be at such a different stage of life than my peers. I guess we’ll just call me a trailblazer – I always did march to the beat of my own drummer 😉 I was the first of all my friends to get married and have babies, so since I’m sometimes asked about what it’s like by all those early on in their parenting journey, I thought it’d be fun to also share with you some of the most helpful hints I’ve learned in my first foray into parenting a teenager.
So here are the most effective ways I have found to show my teenager love — kid tested, mother approved! 🙂
- Show visible interest in your teenager’s interests, even when their mood of the moment leads to an astonishingly random assortment of ever-changing topics they actually want to talk about.
- Resist the temptation to tell your teen you’ll talk about an issue on their mind later. Sure you may be busy, but by the time you’re free, oftentimes the moment is gone and your child can’t or won’t talk about it later.
- Encourage them to invite friends over, and offer to do the driving whenever possible.
- Help your teen understand there is truth in conventional wisdom that says that most people become like the 5 people they spend the most time with. Help them to choose wisely!
- Take the time to volunteer with your teenager – if this is modeled as a way of life consistently enough, they can’t help but to internalize the family values learned along the way and carry them into adulthood. Empower them to be the change they wish to see in the world!
- Become known as the neighborhood go-to spot for snacks, (we all know the way to any kid’s heart is through food – especially teens)! The extra time and expense pays dividends in time making memories at home for your child. She may feel ready to spread her wings but can hardly ever resist a soft place to land!
- Continue an age-appropriate version of the birds & the bees talk with your teen as long as they live under your roof. Let them learn from you rather than social media, movies, and magazines.
- Parent with grace rather than judgement. Rather than instilling fear, set boundaries in love. If your child knows you’re a safe person to share their worries and ask their questions of because you’re approachable rather than condemning, then you are building trust to last a lifetime.
- Tuck your teenager in at night, whenever you can, for as long as they’ll let you! This tends to be the sweet-spot time of day for most kids to open up, no matter how old they are.
- Remember that in many ways, teens are in the most awkward stage of life and you were a teenager once too 😉 This too shall pass, and pass quickly – in the meantime they can use your encouragement that you survived these years and they will too!
In need of a few great books to read on the topic of parenting a teenager? I like Raising a Modern-Day Princess
Here are a few great books to hand to your teen too, A Girl’s Guide to Making Really Good Choices
Looking for more? Read up on the classic, funny moments of motherhood and see what resonates with you or check out last year’s parenting favorites at She Lives Free! You can also learn about parent and family coaching and educational consulting offered here through Live Free Coaching and Consulting if you’re in need of someone to come alongside you in this journey called parenting.
Are you or were you the parent of a teenager? If so, what has your time in the trenches taught you? Do you sometimes struggle with how fast the years are flying by or are you mostly looking forward to your empty nester years?
I’ve never thought about that paradox that the days are long, but the years are short. So true!
All of these tips are great, but I especially love the tucking in at night.
We are raising two teenager boys and it isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. In the midst of the challenges, there are tremendous joys. It is incredible to watch them mature into adulthood, isn’t it?
Ma your cups fill to overflowing!
Love this! Thank you Heather 🙂
Great things to remember! I’m a mom to a 13 year old boy and can totally relate to everything you mentioned! One of our favorite things to do is volunteer together at our local food bank. So glad you listed that one!
Love that Holly!!
These are all great suggestions. I have 2 adult children, and two teens, and I still tuck my teens in. 😉
Love that!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Very good ideas. I’m a empty nester with a son out of college. I would also advise you to teach them about money and stewardship. These issues are very important later when they obtain jobs and start independence. It sounds like you are on the right path though. Stay close, it will go so fast.
Great feedback – thanks Debbie!
Here is my virtual hug. I, too, am raising a teenager and I think you are right on track with your ten tips! Mine just started driving (learning anyway) two weeks ago. Lord, have mercy! I can say that the more grace we extend and the more time we invest makes the walls drop quickly. You’re on the right track and so am I! Thanks for sharing!
Love this! Thank you for that virtual hug! xoxo
I have a 17 year old son and a 16 year old daughter… a few years ago I decided (and was reminded) that I was like that big old comfy chair… sometimes they will want to come and sit on it ( be with me) but most of the time it’s just in the way. So I developed a motto which helps me to deal with the ever daily and within or during the day ‘mood changes,’ my motto – ‘to speak when spoken to’… how was school – good – some days they may keep walking..hmmm I’d think ok then.. but if you hover around and you’re just ‘around’ when they do want to come and sit on that big old comfy chair I’m always available, I have tried to make sure that Im always available.. I think that could be good thing.
Oh I can relate! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve got a while before mine our teens, but I love this list! Especially like the “tuck your teen in.” What a wonderful way to let your child know how special they are.