40 Ways To Show Your Teen You Care

1. Communicate openly and frankly with them

2. Cherish their input

3.Give them your full attention when they do open up, maintaining eye contact

4. Be interested in what interests them

5. Remember that each child is unique

6. Do your best to attend their sports games and special events

7. Find ways to make them feel special

8. Realize that life is not simple for teens

9. Be as transparent as possible; you can be honest about your own needs

10. Understand that they will swing between dependence and independence

11. False starts, mistakes, poor judgment, or impulsive action are part of growing up

12. Be aware of your own growth; as you grow, you will be more able to understand your teen’s growth

13. Let them naturally gravitate more toward their friends than to you

14. Make time for them

15. Cherish the time they do spend with you and tell them so

16. Be humble enough to admit when you have overreacted or made a mistake

17. Teens have their own mind, so their difficult behavior is not always a reflection of you

18. Teens need a significant degree of autonomy and need your support with their choices

19. Suggest better behavior when they do act out

20. Welcome their suggestions

21. Patience is a virtue, tolerance is not

22. When you believe in them they will flourish

23. Give them their private time when they need it

24. Unconditional love is essential

25. Praise produces more than criticism

26. Accept their feelings

27. Expect their best; expecting perfection can lead to lifelong problems

28. Let them communicate their needs and try to meet them

29. Be consistent with discipline; they want boundaries, but will not admit it

30. Compliment with honesty

31. Model the importance of values

32. Open your home to their friends

33. Get to know the crowd they are running with

34. You can help them set realistic goals and expectations

35. Keep the promises you make

36. It is important to let them know when you are overwhelmed and that it is not their fault

37. A child that feels loved, expresses love

38. Still accept them when they are acting out

39. You are your child’s role model

40. Affirm them as often as possible

Remember, it is a natural progression of life for teenagers to want to develop their independence, to not want rules, and not listen to your sage advice. They want to make their own mistakes … this is how they learn. If they do not seek their independence, they may live with you the rest of their lives. Not a pleasant or healthy thought! If you are concerned about this … place a sign on their bedroom door: “Checkout is 18!”

Remember, life begins when the dog dies and the kids move out of the home!

Happy Parenting

By: Best nurse Audrey

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Audrey Pihulyk is Nurse Audrey, the “stress specialist” who brings stress relief through her speaking, writing and entertaining. When it comes to stress and balancing your life - Nurse Audrey has been there and done that! Parents, check out these CD’s: Slow Parenting in a Fast Paced World and Surviving & Thriving On Stress found at: www.nurseaudrey.com/resources.html. While you are there read the Blogs where you will find ideas on how to balance your life more effectively.