Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's teens do want to consider their parents as friends, even though they think we could never understand the realities of their world. They are also interested in what it was like being a teenager during the Stone Age. Life without cell phones or the Internet must have been unimaginable!
So even with this interest, can parents and teens really become best friends when competing with busy schedules, and raging hormones? The answer is a resounding YES?and it is worth the effort!
What is important to understand is that both of you have to want the new relationship on a long-term basis. You cannot appear to be going through the motions, or acting like you are fitting this new relationship into your busy schedules.
As a father, I knew I was a good provider. I put food on the table, a roof over my teen's head, and helped fund those great sales that saved me so much money.
As important as the father role is, it was improving the "Dad" role that allowed me to develop a lasting relationship with my daughter. This also helped me with my two stepsons. Essentially, I modified the communication and problem-solving skills that I successfully used at work to improve my relationship with my teens.
The following are the ten ways that will help you to become one of your teenager's best friends:
1. Define what trust meant to each of you. Agree that there will be no games or hidden agendas-just honesty-to build the trust.
2. Agree that mutual trust is earned by exhibiting consistent behavior. The amount of trust that you develop will be proportionate to the amount of freedom that they will enjoy.
3. Anything that is discussed with you must be kept in the strictest of confidence. This will help reinforce the trust.
4. Talk to them as adults while remembering that they are still kids. This allows for flexibility during those trying adolescent years.
5. Become an attentive listener. Multitasking may be necessary at work, however it will make you appear distracted when discussing something important with your teenager. Learn to focus.
6. Ask the right questions without appearing to interrogate them. It is important that they not fear coming to you to discuss what is important to them. It is equally important that they feel that you will take the time to understand what they are trying to communicate.
7. Do not judge them for their actions or ever say, "I told you so! This helps in having them continue to come to you to discuss topics, and encourages them to do things better the next time.
8. When helping them with problem solving, discuss the desired outcomes first, and what they need to do to resolve their problem. Then allow them to proactively make their own decisions based upon the facts rather than reacting to their emotions.
9. Set guidelines instead of making rules for them to follow. They should have input into the guidelines, and then be expected to follow them. They will perceive this as fair and in their best interests.
10. "Hang out" together as oppose to just spending time together. Remember that there is a difference between motion and productivity, so make your time together interactive. For example, if you go to a movie, then go for an ice cream and discuss the movie. Or play some "one on one" games or sports. Do what best friends do!
If you want to be a better parent, don't forget the child within you. All too often, we get so wrapped up in being an adult that we forget how to have fun and enjoy life. I found that by using my imagination, I rekindled my creativity, and this made me an "okay guy" for my teenagers to hang out with.
About The Author
V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed. coauthored, "Realizing the Power of Love," with his teenage daughter Jennifer S. Santoro. For more information, a free e-zine and more free articles, visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carBi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
Joey steps away from his time out chair "I won't... Read More
What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More
When my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
When my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More
Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
For every season, check, check, check, There is a chart,... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
The word no is probably the most overused word in... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
My wife and I have been working on a video... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
Parenting |