13 resolutions for parents of teens

Parenting Issues newsletter

  1. Resolve to whisper when they yell. When your teen is out of control, you need to maintain your cool.
  2. Resolve to never embarrass your teen on purpose. You will likely embarrass them without any effort on your part.
  3. Resolve to accommodate changes in development. Sometimes we don’t see what is right in front of us. Your teen is maturing and evolving; acknowledge the progression.
  4. Resolve to listen more and speak less. Wait to be asked before offering your opinion.
  5. Resolve to encourage balance. Your teen’s SAT score or the college your teen attends will never mean as much as a well balanced, happy life.
  6. Resolve to provide opportunities for your teen to demonstrate how responsible they can be. Trust your teen to live up to the job.
  7. Resolve to get your own friends. Even if you’re the “cool” mom or dad, your teen does not want to share his or her friends.
  8. Resolve to take your teen to interesting places. Time spent together is a shared gift during the teen years.
  9. Resolve to acknowledge that everyone deserves a second chance. Give your teen the opportunity to show that he or she has learned from a mistake.
  10. Resolve to role model how to face your fears. Try something you think you’re not good at. Tell your teen about it.
  11. Resolve not to rescue your teen from difficult situations. This is the time teens to learn how to advocate for themselves.
  12. Resolve to balance involvement and control. Stay involved but not in charge.
  13. Resolve to let them go. You have given them strong roots; you need to prepare yourself to give them their wings.

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, LA Parenting Teens Examiner

Published author Evelyn B. Block has almost 30 years of experience working with teens as a child and family therapist, an educator, a consultant to corporations and a parent. She welcomes your questions - E-mail Evelyn.

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