How To Be More Supportive To Your Teenager

 

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As a parent, you want to be supportive of your teenager. And as a teenager, you want your parents to be supportive of you. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. You may have different ways of viewing the world or different expectations for yourself. This can lead to conflict between you and your teen, but it doesn't have to! 

Take The Time To Connect


There's no doubt that your teen is going through a lot. Their brains are still developing, and their hormones are doing things to them that you never imagined. It's important to be there for them and support them as they grow up—and the best way to do this is by connecting with them on an emotional level.


Take time out of your day to talk with your teenager about what's going on in their life (be it school, friends or family). This can be as simple as asking how their day went or telling them about yours, but it's important for both parties involved because it establishes a connection between the two of you and gives them a safe space where they feel comfortable opening up if they need help with something.* Letting teens express themselves through art can also be helpful in establishing a connection between yourself and your child.* Don't judge them based on past mistakes or misdeeds; instead just focus on what needs fixing right now in order for things at home to improve.* Be patient; teenagers don't necessarily want advice all the time—they just want someone who cares enough not only listens but also to empathize with whatever issues they may have


Don’t Be Judgmental


You may think you’re helping your teen by being judgmental, but you could actually be doing more harm than good. Listening is an important part of being supportive. Don't just wait for your turn to talk, don't interrupt them and don't judge what they say. Also, remember that you know best!


If a teenager feels like their parents don’t understand or accept them for who they are, then it can make them feel like they are not good enough. On the other hand, if you show empathy and understanding towards them, it will help them to feel accepted by you and therefore more confident in themselves. This not only goes for what they do but also how they style themselves, support them if they get a piercing by going with them to buy new jewelry and find a wide selection of industrial piercing jewelry.


Your teenager may not be ready to hear your opinion yet either – they may want to figure things out for themselves before taking the advice of someone else (even if that person is their parent). It can take time for kids to mature into young adults so don’t rush this process! Instead, try waiting until your child feels comfortable enough with you before giving any advice on how things should be done differently - this way when they do ask for advice from someone else (like teachers), then there won't be any issues about whether or not their parents have already told them what's wrong with what's happening now.


Encourage Them To Do New Things


Encourage your teenager to try new things. Don't be afraid of letting them fail; it's a part of life, and they will learn from their mistakes. Also, if they are trying something different from what you did as a teen or as an adult, that doesn't mean they are doing something wrong! It just means that there is more than one way to approach life and adulthood. Let them explore these different paths with enthusiasm and support rather than judgment or disappointment.


Give Them Advice, Not Lectures


Give your teenager advice, not lectures. Advice shows that you care about the teenager's well-being and have their best interests at heart; a lecture is one-sided and can feel like judgment to the teenager.


One way to give advice is to ask open-ended questions that make the teenager think about what they want to do in a situation. For example, if your teen wants to go out with friends even though they are supposed to be studying for an exam, you could ask them: "What do you think will happen if you don’t study?" This question helps them see the consequences of their actions rather than just saying no outright without giving any thought as to why they should be studying when everyone else is going out partying.


Being supportive of your child is important because it helps them feel like they have someone they can relate to. Don’t forget that no matter how old they are, they still need you as much as ever!

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