You may feel managing a difficult teenager is impossible, but trust me it’s not. It is very possible to deal with a difficult teen when you know the right steps to take. Show respect to your teenagers and also acknowledge their rights to their personal views, desires and opinion. If you have a difficult teen, you can bond with him or her by showing respect, love, and assist him/her in growing into a confident, happy and responsible adult.
Give your teen listening ears
Most times, the only thing a teen needs from their parent is to listen to what they have to say. Ensure you listen to them when they have an idea, opinion or suggestion to give, doing so gives them a sense of belonging and importance. Do not interrupt your teenager during communication, give them complete attention.
When you listen to your teen, you are telling them you value their decisions, thoughts and opinion. Giving your teen listening ears can help improve their self-esteem, make them feel secure and make them trust you more. The best way to create a positive relationship with your teen is to listen to them when they have something to say, the more you do that, the more they come close to you.
Don’t be judgmental
If there is one thing a teenager dislikes, it’s being judgmental. You should abstain from being judgmental when dealing with a difficult teen. It’s normal to have your opinion that differs from your teen, but do not force your opinion to your teen or stress that your opinions are right. What you should do is learn to accept your teen for who they are without trying to force your opinions on them.
You become more open-minded, neutral and compassionate when you cease to judge. Every parent wants to build a strong relationship with their teen, so when you are not judgmental, you will be creating an atmosphere that allows your teenager come to you without fear, and share what they feel or think openly. So it is important you create a friendly atmosphere if you want to build trust and a respectful relationship with your teenager.
Avoid lectures or talking down to them
If you feel lectures and demands are the best way to handle or discipline your teen, then you will not make much progress with them. Demands will only make your teenager more rebellious because it reflects a behavior of domination and control. The best way to pass a message across to your teen is to use a respectful but authoritative tone. By remaining calm yet assertive, this tells your child that you are in control.
Check for signs and symptoms
You need to check for certain behaviors in your teen as these behaviors could indicate they need help. Is he or she becoming less productive with school work? Are they becoming more isolated? Violent outburst low self-esteem, extreme dieting, anxious behaviors, suicidal tendencies are examples of signs to look for so you can provide the necessary help they require.
Seek assistance from an expert
If you have a troubled teen, you can seek professional help from the teen counselor in your teen’s school, a teen psychologist or even a social worker. When seeking professional assistance for your teenager you can request referrals from your family physician.
Besides love and affection, teenagers also want their parents to respect them. Being humble, open-minded and giving room for parent-teen communication are vital to creating a loving and healthy relationship between a parent and teen.
