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- Advice & Tips for Parents of Teens
Teenage Daughters and Their Friends
Parenting Teens Sure Isn't Easy
For generations teenagers have gotten a bad rap. When you mention that you have a teenager to someone they immediately give you the pity face and say.. “I’m sorry”. It’s true that the teenage years are different than infancy and childhood, there’s no doubt about that. This stage of development isn't worse than the others though, just different. It seems to me that one thing parents are overlooking is that their parenting style needs to change with it. I realize this seems like an overwhelming task at times but doing nothing is no longer an option. Parent’s everywhere need to roll up their sleeves and get dirty instead of throwing in the towel. Quit isn't an option!
Our teenagers deserve the same level of unwavering commitment and time that they have always had from their parents. They aren't done growing, learning and developing. Your guidance and strength is needed now more than ever! Being a parent is absolutely the Hardest Job on earth and I don't think anyone would dispute that. It is possible though, and a whole lot easier if you have a plan. Your girl is counting on you to show her how to be a striving, happy, confident, independent woman.
- What Our Teenage Girls Deserve
This is the first in a series of suggestions for raising teenages girls. Included are all the things I wish my parents had read when I was growing up. - Talking with your Teenage Girl without Arguing? Absolutely!
This is the second Hub in a series of suggestions when raising a teenage girl. It's a hard job but they are so worth it!
DO
Get to know your daughter’s friends. How many after school specials have said that before huh? It really does make a huge difference though! What I mean by ‘know her friends’ is not to interrogate them or hang out with them or interfere in their time together. But, do ask questions and pay attention. Do they skip school? Are they involved in activities? Are they telling stories about how their parents are never home? Are they dressed provocatively? (insecure and needing male attention) Watch and listen.
- Teenagers: How much Freedom is too Much?
If teenagers were mature enough and responsible enough to make good choices on their own, they would be on their own. They are still considered children for a reason. There are many important lessons they still need to learn and they need your protec - What Our Teenage Girls Deserve #6
As our kids get older sometimes we get the feeling they aren't paying attention to us old people anymore but nothing could be farther from the truth. Our kids look to us for acceptance and affirmation just as much as they did when they were in the se
DON"T
Try to be your daughters “friend”. It blurs the relationship line and it robs your daughter of having a parent. This might be hard to hear but it’s very selfish on your part. Don’t get me wrong, you should take every opportunity to spend time with her and enjoy her! Create amazing memories and laugh together. Doing things you both enjoy. The difference is, a friend will help her break curfew and lie to see the hot guy at school, or defend her when she has clearly done something wrong. Her friends will always overlook destructive behavior or join in. Her parent needs to enforce the curfew and teach her the importance of being accountable for her actions. Friends are motivated by being ’liked’ by the other person. As parents we can’t fall into the trap of letting our need to be ‘liked’ by our teenagers control our actions. If mothers try to be their daughters friend, how many mothers does that leave her with? It’s about them, not us. We need to be strong and do what’s best for them and their future. They deserve it!
