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Taming The Teen: The Cans And Can'ts

We all remember our teenage years. Despite being at the peak of our youths, most of us would admit they were the worst times of our lives. Never before or after are we so uncertain about who we are. It’s a rollercoaster alright. And, when your kids reach those tempestuous years, it makes sense that you want to ease their burdens. You’ll want to do everything possible to stop them suffering the way you did. Yet, when you try to help you teen, they push you away and freeze you out. What’s a parent to do? It’s not easy, but we’re going to look at a few of the cans and can’ts of helping your teen navigate the nightmare. 



What you can do

Let’s start on a positive note. While most parents of teens feel helpless a lot of the time, there are things you can do. Most importantly, you can provide a safe space for them to return to. When everything else is so uncertain, it’s crucial they have a stable home to feel safe in. Make sure, too, to provide them with a room they can call their own. Stock it with furniture, a comfortable bed like those mentioned at ChooseMattress, and a decoration style that suits your teen. Encouraging them to take part in the design of their room will ensure they think of it as their own. 


It’s also important to listen and offer advice when it’s asked for. There’s no denying that this won’t happen often. Teenagers would rather stick pins in their eyes than talk to their parents a lot of the time. But, if something big is bothering them, they will come to you eventually. When that happens, make sure to listen and offer the best advice you can. Things your teen asks may shock you, but it’s important not to fly off the handle. Stay calm and respect the fact that they’re talking to you about it. When giving advice, it might help to refer to your teenage years. We all prefer advice from someone we can relate to! 

What you can't do

Of course, there are also plenty of things you can’t do. You may be able to provide the room and the high-quality bed, but you can’t ensure they’re getting the sleep they need. You may be able to provide a stable home, but you can’t make them spend time there. And, you can give all the advice you like, but it doesn’t mean they’ll follow it. As parents, you’ll want to help them make hard decisions or solve all the problems. But, you can’t. It’s crucial you know when to step back and let them take the lead. 



As hard as the teen years are, they are the most formative of our lives. As such, you need to go ahead and let your teen form into the person you’re going to be. You can try to give them a helping hand, but accept that they won’t always take it!