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Trust Your Teen

Parenting teens in this culture -- it's easy to not trust them to make the right decision. Yet, as they are clamoring for freedom, what can you do to help them grow up?

Posted Mon, Jun 3, 2013 at 8:11 pm ET|Updated Mon, Jun 3, 2013 at 8:14 pm ET

Remember when you were a teen?

Different times, yes, but being a teen is all about growing up and making mistakes. That has never changed.

It's easy to fall into the deep pit of not trusting your teenager. Once they leave the house, who knows what they are really doing?

To think you used to worry about the corners of the tables and hurting your baby. Oh, to only return to those problems!

So what do you do now?

Trust your teen.

Yes.

Trust. Your. Teen.

How?

Remember your own transgressions. It is now your teens' turn to have their transgressions.
Remember what you wanted your parents to do when you were a teen? Yes, back off. Now it's your turn to do just that: Back off.
Ask your teen what they think about trust. Do they believe they are deserving of your trust? If they say no, well...don't trust them. If they say yes, ask how they want to be shown that you trust them. Then do it.
Trust yourself. Trust that by the time your child is a teenager you have imparted enough wisdom and lessons so that your children are ready to take on their world.
Every "mistake" is an opportunity for your teen to grow up. Help them realize this and guide them so they understand what it takes to be responsible for their decisions and actions.
Love them. Before you know it, they will be adults and their teen years will be a distant memory.