Teenagers are not little kids that you will keep yelling at to do the right thing. As a parent, you need to be aware of the changes that happen to them emotionally. They’ve probably gotten more moody now than you used to know them. Teenagers like to test the limits of a parent. They will keep making deliberate mistakes to see how far you can go and how patient you can be. What you have to always keep in mind is that they are still your children. Most parents make fatal mistakes when dealing with teenagers. They end up putting in so much effort that in the end it doesn’t give better results. The following are some of the most common mistakes teen parents make and how to avoid them.
1. Be pessimistic.
Expecting the worst from your teen is the worst mistake. Many parents believe that they can only watch and do nothing about their children’s deteriorating behavior. This makes teens feel that their parents don’t care about them. They get the perception that they are only good when they do it right. The truth is that negative parental expectations can promote negative behavior in a teen.
To avoid falling into this whole pit, focus on your child’s strengths, talents, and abilities. Think about how you can improve them and help them stand out in your child’s character.
2. Not trusting your instincts.
Most parents tend to read a lot of literature on how to handle teenagers and forget to trust their instincts on how best to raise them. Sometimes they can get into bigger trouble trying to handle some parenting situations using the advice offered in books. Parenting books and literature are very helpful. They only become a problem when parents trust them too much and forget to use their innate parenting skills.
You should only use books to get multiple perspectives on confusing behaviors and situations. Then, put the book down and address the problem, based on what you have learned and your knowledge of your child.
3. Too much or too little discipline.
Some parents think that being strict with a teen’s discipline will work better. Others feel that if they act strictly with their teenagers, they will be rejected. The best is where you find a balance between obedience and freedom. Don’t be too strict with children. And again, don’t let them do everything they plan to do.