As a parent, we often think that the hardest part of parenting is the first few months of a baby’s life. The diaper changing, the feedings, and of course the night wakings. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to parenting! It can be a rude awakening for parents to reach the teenage years only to find their bubbly and obedient baby is now are rebellious teenager.
In some cases, the rebelliousness is as simple as speaking disrespectfully, or maybe occasionally refusing to make their bed. However, in more extreme cases, the rebelliousness may call for involving the police.
The good news is that in most cases, this rebelliousness eventually comes to an end, and is seen by psychologists as a natural and normal part of our evolution as humans. With a little patience and understanding, you can make it through these teenage years and maintain a healthy relationship with your child well into their adult years.
If you’re a parent struggling to survive this rebellious time in your child’s life, here are some of the best tips for navigating the teen years.
Encourage Communication
The first thing you should focus on is keeping the lines of communication open between you and your child. Even though you might not necessarily like what the other house to say, both of you need to stay on the same page when it comes to what your expectations are, and what you’re frustrated about. Allow your teen to express their thoughts and feelings, and instead of automatically shutting them down (even if they seem totally unreasonable) guide them towards why that sort of mentality is unacceptable. Avoid long lectures, and particularly criticizing, and instead encourage dialogue with an open mind.
Set Boundaries
Having an open mind with your teen doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have boundaries. Make sure that you set clear boundaries so that your team knows you won’t stand for disrespect, or disobeying certain rules. These boundaries will help you maintain consistency with your expectations, and also give your child a sense of security.
While you may be under the impression that boundaries irritate teenagers, the truth is that they provide a sense of security and responsibility. Kids want rules at the end of the day. This is because rules help them anticipate what happens next.
Consider Professional Help
Sometimes a child’s rebelliousness is so intense that you can’t take on yourself. While this may make you feel frustrated, or possibly even helpless, there’s nothing wrong with turning to a professional psychologist who can help you navigate your child’s behavior. A professional counselor can help you address underlying issues that may be causing their repetitive rebellious behavior, and help draw a bridge between you the parent, and your child. Remember—this rebellious stage is perfectly natural, and you can make it through with patience and understanding.
