Reconnecting with Your Troubled Teen: Rebuilding Trust and Bonds

There are ups and downs to parenting, but dealing with your teen’s troubling behaviors can make the downs especially difficult. In addition, parenting and adolescence can be challenging experiences when there is a dysfunctional relationship marked by mistrust and ongoing conflict. The good news is that you may enhance your relationship with your teen and restore trust. At Liahona Academy, we’ve helped countless parents and teens in your same situation rebuild their connection and become a stronger team. In this blog, we'll discuss common causes of parent-teen breakdowns, the value of creating a solid support network, and some activities and advice to help you and your adolescent reconnect.

Understanding the Breakdown

It's important to comprehend the potential reasons for the breakdown of the parent-teen relationship before we attempt to restore trust. Teens who are having problems frequently display traits like disobedience, lying, drug misuse, or estrangement from their families. Numerous factors, such as peer pressure, scholastic stress, mental health conditions, or a desire for independence, might lead to these behaviors. Teens may also experience feelings of being misinterpreted or ignored, which can cause them to get frustrated and fight against their circumstances. It's crucial for parents to keep in mind that these actions are frequently pleas for assistance or manifestations of their inner turmoil. However, as parents try to navigate their teens behaviors along with their other responsibilities, it gets harder to respond in the way you know you should and much easier to lash out. While no parent wants to struggle with their teen, this time can seem like a landslide moment with no end in sight. It’s essential for parents to take a step back before responding to try to understand where their teen is coming from. Even better? Utilizing outside help to gain a different perspective

The Value of a Strong Support Network

A strong support network is essential for guiding parents and teens through this difficult stage of life. Ideally, this support network should consist of mentors, teachers, counselors, and parents. Getting professional assistance for your adolescent, such as through our program at Liahona, can also be a beneficial part of this system. Our program is dedicated to helping teens find the root causes of their feelings and subsequent behaviors while also teaching them problem-solving skills, positive interaction with peers, and the value of believing in themselves.  We also work with parents to strengthen the lessons teens learn in our program and to provide consistency when teens complete the program. You can make sure your teen gets the all-encompassing care and direction they need by including the right supports and being willing to ask for and receive help. That’s right. Your teen isn’t the only one who needs a support system. As you’ve probably already learned, it can be extremely stressful and emotionally taxing to cope with the teen years, and seeking out assistance from loved ones, friends, or support groups can help you process your feelings and maintain your resilience.

How Can You Restore Trust and Connection With Your Teen?

The answer to this is provided above. Trust and connection can be restored by understanding the root cause of the issue and by gaining support for both you and your teen. However, there are a few other tips that can help you along the way. Those tips are provided below:

• Focus on Safe and Candid Conversations: Establish a secure space for your adolescent to share their thoughts and feelings by encouraging open and honest communication. Actively and impartially listen. Promote candid communication, even when it involves talking about touchy or awkward subjects.
• Establish Reasonable Expectations: While upholding boundaries is important, be reasonable in your expectations of your adolescent. Recognize that they may make mistakes in the process and that you must give them the chance to grow from those mistakes.
• Set a Good Example: Set an example for your adolescent by acting in the ways you would like to see them do. Show them that you are a courteous and honest person if you want them to be the same.
• Create Shared Experiences: Choose hobbies or pastimes that you both like to engage in and do them together. This can help you two become closer by fostering fond memories and common interests.
• Respect Their Privacy: Although it's crucial to be aware of your teen's activities, you should also acknowledge and honor their right to privacy. Giving them space might help them feel trusted in return, as trust is a two-way street.
• Be Patient and Consistent: It takes time to rebuild trust. When attempting to reestablish contact with your teen, exercise patience and consistency. Success is evident by steady advancement, even though it won't happen right away.

Learn More About Our Program Today

It's not always easy to regain trust and create a stronger bond with your teen, especially if they're struggling with behaviors. However, by comprehending the causes of the breakdown, creating a solid support network for your teen and yourself, and putting the advice above into practice, you may take big steps in the direction of a stronger, more dependable parent-teen bond. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so keep that in mind. With love, endurance, and perseverance, you can help your adolescent navigate these choppy seas and come out on the other side with a better, more resilient relationship. If you and your teen are struggling to connect, reach out to our team today to see how we can help.