Is this you?
During your teenage years, you make begin to expand your relationships with different groups of people. You may realise that different relationships come with different challenges.
Family relationship sometimes involve conflict, some of which can be difficult and stressful. During these times respectful communication and support for each other is important. Sometimes, you or your friends may face significant problems like disagreements about decisions, house-rules, house-hold chores or parents having to work away from home, having busy parents or perhaps having only one parent in the family.
How do your relationship with your parent change after becoming a teenager?
Remember that your parent’s were teenagers too at one point of their lives and have faced similar problems before. Parents are responsible for the care and welfare of their children and they almost always act in the best interest of their children. So, try to talk to them, have an open mind to what their point of view is.
Teenagers sometimes wonder why they must abide to too many house rules and obey their parents. Usually, these rules are not properly explained to them regarding its importance as to why it has to be followed. Thus, parents must tell them the right reasons and consequences if any house rules are broken.
As parents
Healthy parent-children/teenager relationship includes understanding, trust and respect. This relationship will need to be flexible to adapt to the changing of the child and teenage needs, but nevertheless continues to be important. Healthy communication, spending time together, keeping promises, using humor, appreciate each other’s efforts, strength and differences are some ways good relationship are built upon. The main outcome to achieve from healthy parenting is ‘Trust’. When children/teenager know the reason behind certain rules, they have a stronger desire to abide to that rule. In return, parents will trust them and allow some independence. If a rule is deemed to be too strict, communicate and negotiate on how it can be better. This works best with teenagers who are seeking their own identity and independence. Involving teenagers, giving them an active role in setting boundaries and making rules are some ways to build good and healthy relationships. Allowing some freedom and negotiation reassure teenagers that their parents are learning to trust them.
As a child/teenager
Know that children/teenagers are allowed to make mistakes and parents are their guides towards the reality of life. As a teenager:
Family relationship sometimes involve conflict, some of which can be difficult and stressful. During these times respectful communication and support for each other is important. Sometimes, you or your friends may face significant problems like disagreements about decisions, house-rules, house-hold chores or parents having to work away from home, having busy parents or perhaps having only one parent in the family.
How do your relationship with your parent change after becoming a teenager?
- You may have a growing desire for independence.
- You may find it harder to stick to your parent’s rules.
- There may be a greater focus on social friendships outside the home.
- Coping with so many changes may lead to many conflicts and arguments.
Remember that your parent’s were teenagers too at one point of their lives and have faced similar problems before. Parents are responsible for the care and welfare of their children and they almost always act in the best interest of their children. So, try to talk to them, have an open mind to what their point of view is.
Teenagers sometimes wonder why they must abide to too many house rules and obey their parents. Usually, these rules are not properly explained to them regarding its importance as to why it has to be followed. Thus, parents must tell them the right reasons and consequences if any house rules are broken.
As parents
Healthy parent-children/teenager relationship includes understanding, trust and respect. This relationship will need to be flexible to adapt to the changing of the child and teenage needs, but nevertheless continues to be important. Healthy communication, spending time together, keeping promises, using humor, appreciate each other’s efforts, strength and differences are some ways good relationship are built upon. The main outcome to achieve from healthy parenting is ‘Trust’. When children/teenager know the reason behind certain rules, they have a stronger desire to abide to that rule. In return, parents will trust them and allow some independence. If a rule is deemed to be too strict, communicate and negotiate on how it can be better. This works best with teenagers who are seeking their own identity and independence. Involving teenagers, giving them an active role in setting boundaries and making rules are some ways to build good and healthy relationships. Allowing some freedom and negotiation reassure teenagers that their parents are learning to trust them.
As a child/teenager
Know that children/teenagers are allowed to make mistakes and parents are their guides towards the reality of life. As a teenager:
- Understand why your parents set certain rules or ban you from doing certain things. They mean well.
- Talk to your parents and spend time knowing them. Show them that you know what is right and what is wrong. With time, they learn to trust you without needing to take drastic measures such as stalking your social media and calling up your friends.
- Always respect them. As you grow up and become more independent, include them in your life.
- Love them. Tell them you love them every day and not worry too much about you.
- Include them in your activities. This will make them feel like they are part of you growing up. Take them out to dinner, movies or tea with your close friends!
- Tell them where you are going before going out before they ask you. Who knows you might need their help while being out having fun. Parents are real life heroes!
