Talk To Your Teen
One of the hardest parts of life is growing up. Teenagers are
faced with decision-making, responsibility, and choices,
everything adults have to face on a daily basis. Life gets
overwhelming at times and we all need someone to depend on. Who
better to depend on for support, then a parent?
I can remember when I was a teenager. I played sports, had a lot
of friends, but I also felt depressed at times, experimented
with alcohol, and struggled to keep my grades up. I had a hard
time trusting people; I thought no one understood me. I often
wonder how different my teen years would have been like if I was
reached out to more. What if I was talked to and not at?
Communication is key in any relationship. Talk to your teen
about their day; ask them if they are having any frustrations
with school or their friends. Talk to them about drugs, alcohol
and sex, because those are issues they are faced with all the
time. Sharing your experiences as a teen with your child opens
up a whole new world to them. They now see you as someone who
had to face the same things as they do. It might make them think
you DO understand. Let them ask questions about how you dealt
with certain situations as a teenager. Nothing should be a
forbidden topic.
Being a parent means guiding our children through life the best
way we can. The best way to do that is to communicate with them.
Talk TO your teen today!