Parenting Teens - September 2, 2012

Day 17 - Effective Communications

Parenting Teenagers

Parenting teenagers involves gradually letting out the boundaries and giving increased freedom and responsibility. We compare different parenting styles (neglectful, authoritarian, indulgent and authoritative) and show how a combination of warmth and firmness (authoritative parenting) is the most beneficial to a teenager’s healthy development.

Adapting our approach
• Communication not always easy through the teenage years • learning curve for most parents • adults and teenagers tend to communicate in different ways See attached file for some differences! • if we allow them to tell us what they find difficult about how we communicate with them, they are more likely to listen to us when we need to tell them what we find difficult about how they communicate with us • understand that sometimes teenagers like to be contrary. (If we get heavy and intense they will probably react strongly just to give us a hard time) • give them space. Respect their privacy. • don't try to control every aspect of their lives. • don't expect them to tell you everything

Question:
How easy or difficult is it for you to communicate with your teenager(s) currently?

See the attached worksheets in the study guide

From Series: "Parenting Teenagers"

Study Guide

More Messages Associated With "Family"...

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  • having a vision for our familu life
  • pausing to think about what we want to achieve
  • what will our children’s memories be of us and their home in twenty years, time?

Goals for our family life

When they are adults, will our children associate their upbringing with:

  • having fun together as a family?
  • being listened to?
  • being able to talk through difficult choices?
  • being encouraged and affirmed?
  • being valued for their unique personality and gifts?
  • knowing they are loved?
  • learning important values of honesty, generosity, etc.?
  • learning to think about others?
  • being prayed for?
  • having clear boundaries for their own protection?
  • seeing kindness modeled?

The importance of play

  • using their imagination
  • learning skills
  • playing on their own
  • playing with others
  • indoor and outdoor play
  • limiting screen time

Did you have fun with your family growing up?  When do you have the most fun together as a family now?

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