(Newswire.net — September 20, 2020) — Adolescence is as much a challenging time for parents as it is for teens themselves. A flood of emotions, hormones, angst, and burgeoning autonomy all collides to create a time of incredible growth and evolution in your child’s life, and yet it can be difficult for parents to find ways to really feel like they’re parenting their teen. If you’re interested in connecting with your teen more seriously, here are five tips to try out.
1. Listen to them when they talk.
In order to get your teen to talk to you when things get serious, they need to know they can talk to you and you will sincerely listen to them. The way to teach them your willingness to listen is to listen to them with an open mind and not try to speak for them. Cutting them off mid-sentence is a major no-no, as you want to be sure that you don’t exhibit any verbal or nonverbal cues that make it seem like you aren’t invested in what they’re saying. Making eye contact with them and nodding your head are two other ways to show that you’re engaged with what they’re telling you.
2. Watch for cues in their reactions.
As you talk to your teen, you should also be aware of nonverbal cues that show that they’re listening to you. Sometimes, small shifts in eye contact or body language could show that something deeper is the cause of their troubles. While you don’t want to pry, making note of these subtle cues in their reactions can help you track different behavioral patterns that may help you get to the bottom of a specific issue.
3. Pick up a hobby together.
Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with your teen when it seems like you don’t have anything in common. Especially depending on your age difference, it can seem like the generational gap between you two is a chasm that nothing can bridge. That being said, if you pick up a hobby together, you may find that you have more topics to talk about as well as a variety of chances to spend more time together.
Take, for example, getting into gardening together. Whether you’re looking at growing vegetables and herbs to cook, or are looking at taking care of other plants together, you’ll both have the opportunity to make your mark on a part of your home by gardening. From tending to weeds to watering your plants, you’ll be able to break down some of the walls between you by focusing on how your garden is doing and what your hopes are for your plants’ growth.
4. Don’t be afraid to get them help.
Sometimes there’s only so much you can do as a parent before it’s time to bring in a licensed professional. Sadly, mental health issues are common amongst teens, and if your child has an anxiety disorder or suicidal ideation, it may be in your family’s best interest to seek out psychiatric help.
Polaris residential troubled youth programs are for teens who are deeply struggling with their mental health. While you may feel conflicted about a residential treatment program because you feel like you are sending your child away, you need to remember that sometimes teens need to get away to clear their minds and get the help they need. Polaris is experienced and prepared to handle an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, behavioral issues, ADHD, and more.
5. Know their friends and interests.
If you feel like you aren’t getting a straight answer from your teen, sometimes it can be helpful to touch base with one of their friends. For example, if your daughter is on the swim team, don’t just go and support her swim meets—take this time to get to know some of her teammates, too. You never know when having fostered a relationship with a close friend of your adolescent could help get you the information you need to better connect with your teenager.