Contents
- 1. Let him take care of himself.
- 2. Don’t even try to be cool
- 3. Go to the sauna regularly
- 4. Plan the weekend after the holidays with the kids
- 5. Watch the show “The Most Strict Parents in the World”
- 6. Remember love
- 7. Don’t try to understand and support them 100%
- 8. Do yoga, dance, gymnastics
- 9. Don’t be afraid to deviate from expert advice
In the bookstore you can find many books about survival in primeval deep forests, on desert islands or in Antarctica. But why are there so few books on how to survive and stay safe and sound in your own home with a teenager in it?
Puberty is a turbulent time not only for the teenager himself, but also for his parents. It takes nerves of steel to endure it. What can mom and dad do to support themselves during teenage rebellion? Here are some of the best “survival” strategies – tried and tested by parents themselves.
1. Let him take care of himself.
Do you know the phrase: “I have no clean pants and T-shirts left!”? In response, you are likely to say: “Because they are all on the floor in your room, not in the laundry basket!” And sometimes: “I didn’t have time to wash.” If so, it’s time for your teen to wash their own clothes. Do you want him to become independent and independent?
2. Don’t even try to be cool
When your child grows up, you stop being cool. Just deal with it. Forget about your diplomas or a sign on your office door. An Instagram or Facebook profile won’t help you either. Don’t even try to be cool. Do not copy the appearance of children or use their words. Allow yourself to be imperfect in their eyes. Treat it like something inevitable, like a thunderstorm.
3. Go to the sauna regularly
Are you jealous of youth – the fit and strong bodies of your children? Would you like to be like that again? This is completely normal. Having a teenager in the house is like endlessly browsing fashion magazines with retouched models. It’s annoying. What helps is frequent passes to the sauna or pool. If you regularly see what people over 15 look like, it brings your self-esteem back into place.
4. Plan the weekend after the holidays with the kids
Admit it: didn’t you at their age dream of staying without them for at least a few days instead of relaxing with your parents? Right! So give your growing child some free time and plan the vacation so that it does not coincide in place and time with his vacation. The less time we spend with them now, the better for everyone. Send your son or daughter to camp or a trip with friends and design a trip for yourself.
5. Watch the show “The Most Strict Parents in the World”
Watch together or separately at least a few episodes of the reality show “The Most Strict Parents in the World.” The bottom line is this: unruly teenagers are sent to a strict foster family, where they live for some time in order to change their attitude towards their father and mother and behavior in general. Soon they receive a letter from their parents, in which they propose several important issues of interaction in the family for discussion.
After that, you will love your offspring again, and he, in turn, will be able to notice: there are “worse” fathers and mothers than you. Small nuance: the effect does not last too long.
6. Remember love
When we have children, we quickly forget that my partner and I have feelings and passion for each other, that we – parents – were actually once lovers. Now is the time to remember this. Kids, don’t interfere – mom and dad have a date!
7. Don’t try to understand and support them 100%
Yes, you want to be as understanding as possible, to become a “good friend” to your son or daughter. However, in reality, teenagers need resistance, friction in relationships, struggle. If you don’t provide all of this in small doses, they will resort to more drastic measures, challenging you to a fight. If you want to take an important step in the development of your teenage child, set a demarcation line. Show your limits, otherwise the invasion is inevitable.
8. Do yoga, dance, gymnastics
Be sure to think of some kind of sports activity. First, physical activity helps relieve stress. Secondly, this is an excuse to sneak out of the “haunted house” for at least a couple of hours.
9. Don’t be afraid to deviate from expert advice
Books and coaches offer sage advice on how to properly behave with a teenager. But how can we always act as our gurus recommend? It’s just not possible. So why do we beat ourselves up that we again made a mistake and allowed ourselves to yell at an impudent teenager? We won’t do that next time, and that’s the main thing.
It is important to learn to forgive yourself. Especially if you have a teenager in the house.