Let me start by saying, parenting a teen is no joke! Nowadays, teens and technology help create an even bigger barrier in communication in our households. Trust me, I know all about it, because I do have a teen. There are a lot of ways in which you can cope up with your child’s changing (or should I say, raging?) hormonal changes. Calming techniques, meditation, or even CBD vapes (from the likes of canada cannabis dispensary and other online stores) for that matter could help you calm your nerves and deal with your child in a manner that they would not feel claustrophobic about. Understanding the basics of what your child needs could be useful in this pursuit of handling your teen better..
So, what I do want to share with you is that there are more ways than one to be more patient with the growing tantrums and frowns, the mood swings and a complaining mode switch, which seems to be always on.
#1 Remember Kids Are Going To Be Kids
I often catch myself comparing my son’s behavior and grumpy moments with my own at his age. That often puts a smile on my face and though my husband calls my behavior “babying him”, for me it is more like I get it, you are a kid and kids are going to be kids.
#2 Have Fun With It
Instead of always complaining, why not have fun with your child in his teen years? I often bring jokes and laughter to lighten up those unbearable moments when you ask what did I do to deserve this???
#3 Act like a Teen
Sometimes I invert the roles and give my son a little dose of his own remedy: mood swings, “no” is my best friend and ignoring his requests and needs will go a long way to make him realize how he’s been behaving and it often changes his course of action, at least … for a short while. Hence, I may need to learn about his interests, which may help me to figure out his viewpoint in a more understanding way. Teens of this age generally play mobile games (if interested, have a look at “games to play for real money“), like to go outdoors for sports, and watch movies. By actively participating in such things, I might get an insight into his mindset and thought process, which might prove of great worth in parenting.
#4 The Art of Negotiation
I often negotiate with my son. In the beginning of the school year I remind him that his grades dictate how much free time he will have, how much computer time, how many weekends off. Because life is about working towards your goals. So I start negotiating an expected behavior pattern, which comes, not from yelling but from setting cause + consequences and expectations being set ahead of time.
#5 Plant The Seeds
A wise friend used this expression on line the other day and I totally agree with it. It’s about leading by example, planting the seeds and using your actions to shape your teen into a well adjusted young adult.
I’m far from knowing it all, it’s a long road and my son’s teen years just started. But I truly believe, looking at my own teen years, acting with patience and love and using the tips above, helped me rise above those bad moments.
Think about my words next time your teen says no, lies to you, ignores the chores and responsibilities and act … like a teen.
No, it’s not an easy job, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world!
Do you have a teen? What kind of teenager were you? What are your thoughts? As usual, give us a Trendy Shout!
We have quite a few years before we get to the teen years. These are great ways to be more patient with your teen and I have a feeling I am going to have to learn all the ways to be patient once my two hit their teens!
We are past that stage now but it can be very challenging. The best part is that we all survived it. This too shall pass.
We’re still in our baby-toddler years. I can’t imagine how my daughter would be like when she’s a teen. What worked for me and my mom was that she tried to balance being a mom and a friend. Helped me open up to her from time to time.
Thank you for sharing your teen-parenting tips. I am learning a lot and hope to apply these when I have my own kid in the future.
Really amazing tips here! It’s definitely important to have the balance between being an authority figure, but also allowing teens to be teens too.
Great tips. My children are in the early 20’s now so I know how difficult it can be when they are in their teens. They think they know everything 🙂
This is awesome advice! Teens are going through so much that we need to be there for them as much as we can.
wonderful tips! i imagine that being a parent is not easy but i did see how my parents raised both my brother and i, and i think they would agree with a lot of the points you’ve made here! teens can be tough. i’ll definitely keep your tips in mind in case i decide to have kids of my own in the future. thanks for sharing! xo, sharon
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I survived that phase of parenting! My children are all in their 20s now. I remember that time when I had three teenagers in the house. It drove me nuts. So many times I had to act like a teenager. Negotiation was also an everyday activity. Thankfully, I breezed through.
Great tips! I especially like the act like teens one. lol. Sometimes giving them a taste of their own medicine does wonders!
This is a well written article. My kid is 4 year now..so some time for her to be a teen..
These are really helpful ideas! I am not there yet with my kids, my oldest is 9, but I know the teen years are just around the corner and bring a whole new set of parental curve balls.
Love your tips! Being a parent is not easy and especially with teens. I think as a teenager, I have those growing pain moments but it helps built me to be who I am today.
I had a very authoritative mother, so I was a people pleaser to avoid her wrath. I didn’t want to be that way with my kids. My teens are definitely can argue with me, which is ok. I think that definitely helps them make better choices as adults for themselves.
Being a teenager is hell, I can’t imagine what raising one can be like. Although these tips are very helpful. Think I’ll remember them.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful tips! My daughter is still a “tween” but I’m already struggling with some of this. I definitely need to remember she’s just a kid, no matter how mature she may seem at times.
Great tips. We are not there yet, but I feel it coming on!
These are great tips for having more patients with a growing teen. Kids will be kids but they all need direction and I believe negotiating is a great way to dealing with the teens. Thanks for sharing the tips.
I know when my girls were teens it took the help of Jesus to stay sane! I know its challenging at times but the rewards always outshine the hiccups. Great tips
I don’t have kids right now and I already envy my friends who have kids already, they already have teens and I know they can really relate on this. Can’t wait to have my own very very soon.
I know how times have changed for teens. I should really remember these points and apply them.
I think this are great tips for parents of teens! I don’t have kids but we’ve all been in that age and we want our parents to be there all the way. It’s important that we don’t judge them and that we give them the space that they need without completely letting go.
I have 2 teens at the moment and each of them are different. You really have to be patient and to show them that you support them all the way. They need you to have confidence and trust in them but at the same time, you have to learn how to parent them in a way that they won’t feel like you’re pushing them. Great tips!
Patience during teenage is hard to afford. I have grown through this stage, infact everybody does. But, every time you can’t restrict yourself. And you right, just go with the flow
Great tips! Parenting requires a lot of patience. I have 2 kids, 4 and 6. They always keep me busy.
I have two boys, one 17 and one 21. I have come to believe that every child has their own special need, some on the outside and some on the inside. They all require love.
I think key will always be to remember we were all teenagers once. Patience and mutual respect will always win.
Raising a teenager is not easy. I just finished raising one. It can be so tough sometimes, but I like your ideas here.
Great advice! I have about 5 years until the teen years and I think it is really important to start thinking about it now since it will be here before I know it!
These are great things to remember. I have a 19, 15 and 11 year old….so am getting a little experience under my belt. I am finding that each teen is totally DIFFERENT though!
While I don’t have any teens now, this post is making it easier to wrap my head around the idea. This is such a great resource, great post!
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I think you have some good strategies there! Negotiating things like free time with grades is definitely going to be a good motivator!
While I don’t have any teens yet I do have a tween. I can already sense the attitude she gives me now..nevermind then.
I could not have said it better myself. Teens can be a challenge, they’re tougher to handle than babies! I love that you mentioned leading by example, it’s important that we watch our actions as well.
I don’t have a teen yet, but I’m already negotiating with my 5 y/o. For the most part, he loses out because he doesn’t follow through with his end, but he’ll learn one day.
Give ’em bacon. And everything will be alright. Bacon is life.
I have three girls that are all going to be teenagers soon. I know it is going to be a challenge. Patience is going to be a big one.
I think spending quality time together having fun is really important to keeping the communication open. I think acting like a teen can be useful and also hilarious at times also.
Negotiating is a very valuable skill to have when you are a parent. I have two teenagers and it can be very challenging at times.
This is really great advice. Becoming a teen again yourself and having some fun along with them is a great plan.
With a toddler and a baby, I need to keep these things in mind. Bookmarking this as a future reminder.
I’m still quite a few years away from this but I hope that when we get there, that I am patient and find the joy in it. Laughter and understanding can go a long way.
I love this. I have a 15-year-old and I have learned to be patient. He’s a pretty awesome kid though.
I love teenagers! My granddaughter is 14 now, and my daughter is learning to navigate through teenagerhood 🙂
I sooo need this right now. My oldest is turning 13 in August and it’s already such a challenge sometimes.
thank you for all this positivity, teens deserve respect as much as adults. I don’t have teens yet (but it will come) but i teach teenager who dropped out of school. It’s not always easy.
2 out of my 4 are teenage boys 14 & 18 ahhh the fun in my house although my 14 yr old is waaaaaaaaay more “chill” (ha see I learn their lingo! ) then my 18 yr who I bump heads but I wrote about just this. They are just as confused as we are growing . So having a happy median where they know I rule is a good one… I kid,I kid …. but it has been interesting My girls are a few years from hitting their teens.. I SO am not going to be ready for that!
I was a mellow teenager, but I was an awful 20 something year old still living at home with my parents. One thing I learned when I did childcare for so many years is that if you try too hard to be your child’s friend, they will pull all the junk they pull on their friends, and not respect you as a parent. There’s a fine line between being their friend and letting them get away with everything. It seems tweenagers and teenagers know how to walk that line just enough to make your life crazy. Sometimes you have to act like them to understand them.
I think we all remember what it’s like to be a teenager, good tips for those with teens
So amazing tips. I think parenting is something you learn by experience.
God help me when my daughter is a teen and she is only 1 year old. Think you right, just go with the flow 🙂
Some times I get sad when I think about how much the kids have grown. But at the same time I have discovered that ALL stages of a childs life are amazing. I’m even a little excited for the teen years.
I have a 4-month old baby and I should admit that knowing he’ll soon be a teenager scares me a bit. For now, I’m glad it’s gonna take a few years before that happens.
These are all great points. My kids are entering the teen years, and I have a tendency to still treat them like little kids.
I raised 3 teens and it wasn’t always easy. It required a lot of patience. Now I have a teen grandson and granddaughter. I will use your tips on ways to be more patient with them.