Empowering Adolescents: Navigating Identity and Transitions - A Guide for Parents
All relationships ebb and flow overtime and parent-teen relationships are no different. Adolescence is full of changes, transitioning from summer to the school year, changes in friendships, managing education expectations, sports participation and so much more. As a parent you can help your child navigate these changes and model good coping skills. But navigating your relationship with your teen as they go through transitions can be challenging and learning how to effectively communicate, listen, and model behavior is essential for building a lasting foundation. Adolescence is also a period of unique brain development; adolescents have the ability for complex thinking, but they are still developing the executive functioning system that contributes to decision making. As a parent, it is your role to model decision making, help process emotions, and build lasting connections.
Here are 7 ways to support your teen:
Listen: Create a space where your teen feels safe to engage. Actively listen while staying calm without judgment or advice. Be present and open for your teen and allow them to come to you.
Maintain structure and routine: When teens are going through transitions outside of the home do what you can to keep things predictable in the home. Maintain routines both morning and evening to create stability.
Model boundaries: Boundaries are put in place to help both people maintain a healthy relationship and allow one's needs to be met. Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries are the foundation of building trust with your teen.
Self-care: Model how to take time for yourself, show them the things you do to put yourself first and let them know they can create space for self-care in their own lives. Model healthy eating, exercise, and sleep routines, this is just as important for yourself as it is for your teen.
Be flexible in communication: Talking about emotions and struggles can be hard and uncomfortable, be flexible in your communication style. Be open to any communication style and allow your teen space to communicate via text or letters.
Help them problem solve: Rather than jumping into solutions, give your teen options that could help them solve their problems. Allow them to display some autonomy in their choice but help them see what the options are.
Check your expectations: Check in with yourself and your child to see if your expectations match what they want. Make sure you are not projecting your past experiences onto what they are going through.
Navigating your teen’s highs and lows while maintaining a healthy trusting relationship is challenging. If you or your child is struggling, the providers at CCH can help!
