7 Tips for Parents

The adolescent years are usually quite challenging for most parents. The changes that a young person go through can often make many a parent doubt their capabilities as good parents and therefore foster frustration.

The following 7 Tips are meant to help parents recognize their strengths and to motivate them to encourage an open communication with their growing children. 

• Tell your child often that you love them and  that you will always be there
  for them no matter what happens.
  
  
• Listen consciously to what your child tells you and honour their opinions, even if you don't agree with them.
  
  
• Admit that you don't always have all the answers, but that together you can find a solution. Remind them that even though you are parents, still you are partners and therefore require to work harmoniously together.
  
  
• Allow your child to approach you first with a situation before talking to them about it. And let them know that you trust them with their decisions. 
  
  
• Respect and encourage privacy for everyone. 
  
  
• Be open about your feelings and insecurities relating to the changes in  the relationship with each other. Don't forget this is a new change for your child as well! 
  
  
• Make a commitment to each other, by setting a time and place to come together regularly for various  matters. And keep the time. 

Copyrighted material 2005 Olakunbi Korostensky ND
For personal use only. Re-distribution in any form or
            commercial use without permission is NOT allowed