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While the toddler years may be infamous for tantrums and early wake-up calls from your little one, the teenage stage is something many parents dread. Teenagers get a lot of negative attention and are often accused of not listening, not following the rules, and showing little respect for everyone around them. While this is true of some teenagers, it is not true of every adolescent. Some kids go through their teenage years with minimal disruptive behavior, but unfortunately, this is a time of rebellion for other teens. Parenting a rebellious teenager is far from easy, and many moms and dads would happily go back to the tantrums of the toddler stage. 

 

Even though parenting is not easy once kids hit their teenage years, it is still essential to keep trying even if you feel like you are not achieving anything. This challenging time may seem incredibly stressful, but it is a crucial stage in your child’s development. During the teenage years, your child develops their understanding of the world and their place within it. Teenagers can change their likes and dislikes frequently as they establish who they are and what they believe. At the same time, their bodies will be changing, and they may be struggling with a wide range of feelings. As a result of all the mental and physical changes of adolescence, it is little wonder this is a confusing time for kids. 

 

Strike a Balance

 

Helping your child to get through the teenage years is essential. Although your teen may seem defiant and uninterested in you right now, they still need your help and guidance along the way. But, if you try to tell them what to do all the time, you will be accused of interfering in their life. Striking a balance between guiding your child and controlling them can be challenging. But, it is essential you also let them have some independence at an age-appropriate level. Knowing when it is safe to step back is vital so your teenager can learn things for themselves. 

 

Your teenager needs to learn lots of new skills to encourage independence, so teaching them these life skills is crucial. If you do everything for your teen and always smooth the way to make their life easier, they may struggle to live independently when they move out or go to college. Offering guidance without taking over is challenging, but it is something you can learn with practice.

 

Set Clear Boundaries

 

Setting clear boundaries for your teen and sticking with them can help you keep them behaving acceptably. Teenagers are often accused of pushing limits too far and overstepping what is acceptable. So, if you have no boundaries in place, this is likely to create even more trouble. Having rules to stick to should help to reign in your teen’s behavior to an extent. 

 

When your teenager understands what is expected of them, they are more likely to accept this. But, if the boundaries are continually blurred and become inconsistent, this can cause problems in the future. If you often allow your child to breach these boundaries, they are likely to keep doing it and gradually breach them a little further until these boundaries no longer exist. This can become a significant issue, and you may discover that their behavior worsens as a result. If you have set a boundary that states your teen much be home by 9.00 pm, and they often come home at 11.00 pm without being told off, they are likely to keep pushing this further. When breaching boundaries starts to escalate, you may find that your life gets a lot more stressful. Not knowing where your teenager is or what time they will come home is a massive worry. You may find it helpful to explain to your teen that you set these boundaries to keep them away from harm and so that you know when they will arrive home each night. Understanding that your concerns are related to their safety can help validate your reasons for having boundaries and help them understand the logic of why you implement these.

 

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Explaining Actions and Consequences

 

Many parents assume that their teens automatically know how to behave. Being taught right from wrong during childhood is essential for kids, but this can become a little more complex when they reach their teens. As a child, life is often pretty black and white, but when your child grows into a teenager and starts to gain independence, the lines between right and wrong may blur. Being out and about without you may see your teen encounter new situations, and they may not act appropriately. These situations can lead teens to get into trouble and find themselves out of their depth. 

 

Your child may not want to hear you lecture them on the importance of taking responsibility for their actions, but they must understand this. Being fully aware of the relationship between their actions and the consequences that these have is vital to prevent them from getting into trouble. Getting into trouble with the law is a particular issue that kids need to be aware of, as this can have a lasting impact on their lives. If your child is caught committing a criminal act such as shoplifting, this can cause problems for the entire family and affect their future. Getting legal assistance to resolve a breach of ARS 13-805 for their child is something no parent wants to be faced with. So, it is essential that teens understand that things that don’t seem like a big deal can cause significant problems and that every action has a consequence.

 

Encourage Hobbies and Interests

 

If your teenager has a hobby, it is a great idea to encourage them to stick with it and keep it going through their adolescent years. Having interests is so beneficial for all ages but can be particularly helpful for teens. Being part of a club is especially helpful, as your teen may enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Expanding their social circle beyond school is helpful if your child experiences friendship issues. Having different groups of friends helps ensure your teen always has someone to hang out with and does not get lonely. 

 

Having a hobby is a fantastic way to boost your teenager’s well-being. Whether your teen plays sports or has an artistic pursuit, it will enable them to develop their focus and could help to keep them out of trouble. 

 

Keep Communicating

 

Communicating regularly with your teenager may feel like an impossible task. However, there are many benefits that can be gained from trying to engage with your child. While your teen may not show that they feel vulnerable or upset about something, that doesn’t mean that they are not. Simply providing your teen with a listening ear and letting them know that you are always here for them can make a significant difference. 

 

Knowing that you are there for them and that you are willing to listen to them is a useful way to strengthen your bond with your teenager. Even if your teen does not engage in conversation with you, it can still provide them with the reassurance that someone cares about them and is happy to listen to their problems. Maintaining a relationship with your teen can be tricky, and there are sure to be arguments along the way. But, the teen years do not last forever, and before you know it, they will be a distant memory.