I find the summer a time to reflect on many of the stressors teens and their parents go through during the school year. Of course there always seem to be some stressors with most teens and their parents but it definitely dissipates a bit when school is out. Below are some helpful tips to keep in mind for parents of teens with more to come over the summer months. I hope you find them helpful!
Take care of yourself. As I’ve mentioned in other articles, adolescence is the time when both teens and parents are starting the separation process with the teen seeking more independence and the parents attempting to let go a bit. If you do not take care of yourself, physically as well as emotionally and mentally, you may have less patience, be more irritable and become more rigid than you even want to be. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your teen.
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Keep the lines of communication open. I can not stress enough how important it is to attempt to communicate with your teen, even if they do not seem to feel comfortable talking to you. Talk about those uncomfortable topics when you are both in the car and don’t have to look at each other. It is also important to answer questions they ask honestly but remember they do not need to know all the details of your past. Ask them open ended questions to hopefully avoid the grunts and shaking of the head as responses. This is not easy for all parents (or teens) to do which is normal!
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Ask your teen for help. Most teens still want to help out and feel useful. By asking for help around the house it gives your teen a sense of responsibility as well as a connection to the family. He should know how his actions contribute to the entire family's well-being. If he is helping someone who needs it, he should feel more in control and more confident.
Important Notice: The information presented above is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for consulting a psychologist or other mental health professional to discuss your unique situation.
