NO-NONSENSE PARENTING TIPS & ADVICE FOR TODAY'S TEENAGER

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NO-NONSENSE PARENTING FOR TODAY'S TEENAGER - How To Feel Like A Good Parent
Even When Your Teenager "Hates" You...
http://tinyurl.com/7czhhyc
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The most common concerns parents have with their teens is how to communicate without dealing
with power struggles and conflict. There are some positive approaches you can use which will get
you the positive results you desire.
The first thing to do is understand the many challenges teens face at this age. There's peer
pressure, fitting in, appearance and degree of popularity, not to mention doing well in school,
extra-curricular activities and pleasing mom and dad. There's a lot expected of teens and unless
they have the most appropriate coping skills to handle things, they will fall victim to the pressure
and you will suffer their wrath.
The following are 5 effective techniques you can use to keep things positive:
1.To develop a rapport with your teen, find something you can appreciate about them, like a talent
you admire, a physical trait (beautiful blue eyes) or a unique quality they possess (sensitivity to
others) and focus on it. Start your conversation by acknowledging their qualities and how
fortunate they are to possess them. It will get the teens in a receptive mood and get you aligned
on their side.
2.Listen with empathy. Many arguments can be avoided if you put yourself in their shoes for the
moment and perceive the problems through their eyes. Be sincere by letting your teens know that
you can appreciate how they feel and can actually feel their pain. If your children know they can
trust you with their feelings, they'll be more inclined to open up.
3.Always be the parent. Teens need guidance and support, but they don't want to be controlled.
Making demands on them only causes them to shut down. Offering suggestions with reason is a
better way to keep the dialogue going and keeps their resistance down.
4.Involve your teens in the solution by encouraging original ideas. Get them thinking and solving
problems themselves. This will boost their self-esteem, increase their self-worth, and give them
pride in their decision making abilities.
5.Take a genuine interest in their activities. Know who their friends are, and also what interests
them outside of school. You want to show that you truly care about their lives, but that you are
not overly intrusive.
Always watch for more serious warning signs that your teen may need more help than you can
handle. Watch for changes in behavior (isolation, secrecy, changes in school grades, excessive
sadness or depression, anger or violence) and seek immediate help with a mental health
professional.

2. Parents who give their teens the time to grow independently, yet offer encouragement and
guidance, will find that their relationship will flourish through these exhaustive and challenging teen
years and manifest itself into healthy, happy bonding.
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NO-NONSENSE PARENTING FOR TODAY'S TEENAGER - How To Feel Like A Good Parent
Even When Your Teenager "Hates" You...
http://tinyurl.com/7czhhyc
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