As a parent, you are more than well aware of the role that you play in the life of your child. Not only do you nurture and protect them, but you also are a key player in shaping their behavior and overall attitude. Granted, emotions will ebb and flow, especially during the toddler years and adolescence. As challenging as this can be at times, how you react - whether negatively or positively - can influence the way your teen acts.
If you are being tested by your child in the midst of their teenage years when it comes to their attitude, there are some ways that you can begin to influence their behavior in a positive and uplifting way. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways that you can approach the adolescent years!
- Communicate openly and actively listen: Establish open communication with your teen and listen actively to their concerns and feelings. This will help build trust and strengthen your relationship, making it easier to influence their behavior.
- Set clear expectations and boundaries: Establish clear expectations and boundaries for your teen's behavior, and consistently enforce consequences when necessary. This helps teach responsibility and accountability.
- Follow through with rules: This can be a hard tip to do, and even more so if you know it’s going to rock the boat. However, if you say you are going to take away phone privileges if your teen doesn’t complete chores, get home at curfew, etc., then you actually have to follow through and take away their phone. This gives your teen a heads up that you are, in fact, being honest with them, and can create consistency.
- Show them you are listening: Your body language says a lot, especially when you are engaging with a teenager. Don’t sit with your arms or legs crossed; instead, focus on your teen, sit facing them, put your phone down, etc. This sort of openness can lead to better communication for both of you!
- Lead by example: Your behavior sets the tone for your teen's behavior, so lead by example. Model positive behaviors, such as honesty, respect, and kindness, and avoid negative behaviors, such as aggression or dishonesty.
- Encourage independence and responsibility: Encourage your teen to take on age-appropriate responsibilities and develop independence. This helps build confidence and self-esteem, and teaches important life skills.
- Support their interests and passions: Support your teen's interests and passions, and encourage them to pursue their goals. This helps build a sense of purpose and direction, and fosters a positive self-image.
- Provide emotional support: Your teen is going through a lot of changes and challenges, so provide emotional support and validation. Encourage them to express their feelings and offer comfort and understanding when needed.
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