How to live with a teenager: 10 tips

Living with adolescents can be difficult most of the time, because it is a stage of many changes both physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Now there are a number of guidelines and tips to make living with a teenager successful and beneficial for both parties. Let's look at the most important ones.

• Related article: "The 3 stages of adolescence"

Tips for living well with a teenager

Relationship problems, out of tune, recurring conflicts, poor harmony... If you want to know what are the most efficient tips for living with a teenager, read on.

1. Respect your privacy

Adolescence is a time of self-affirmation in which the individual begins to claim a series of rights that during childhood were not part of his priorities.

One of these essential rights for the natural development of the person is the right to intimacy and privacy, that is why during adolescence it is advisable to give the young person more private spaces without interfering too much in her affairs.

Some of the most common ways of respecting her privacy can be: do not enter her room in her absence, knock on her door before entering, try not to ask in tone inquisitive about her friendships (unless she wants to share) and not overly controlling her daily activities if there are no signs that they are compromising her physical health or mental.

• You may be interested in: "Respectful Parenting of Children: 6 Tips for Parents"

2. Take an interest in your hobbies

Showing a genuine interest in your teen's new hobbies can be another way to establish a positive relationship. with that person and also to promote adequate emotional development and healthy socialization at the family level.

In addition to that, adolescents often need external approval from both friends and family about their interests, skills or hobbies and seeing that these are recognized and appreciated is also of great importance in building your personality.

• Related article: "How to strengthen the bond between parents and children, in 6 keys"

3. Cater to your needs

Family emotional support is essential during any stage of growth, and more during adolescence, since it is a period of great emotional imbalances for the person.

Be aware of the daily difficulties that the adolescent may have, whether emotionally, relationally or physical is a good way to help and guide you in a period of great uncertainty and disorientation such as adolescence.

Some of the problems that can arise in the life of a teenager can be eating disorders, bullying, school difficulties of all kinds or academic failure.

• You may be interested in: "How to give emotional support, in 6 steps"

4. Share time together

Similarly, to attend to the daily needs of the adolescent it is also necessary to spend time with him, which also helps us to know your concerns and personal hobbies.

Although at times they may appear to seek isolation from family, adolescents also They need to spend time with their families, to share their day to day and request help in case of require it.

5. Avoid excessive bans

An educational model with too many prohibitions or restrictions can end up resulting in an overly rebellious adolescent who ends up not respecting any kind of authority.

That is why it is necessary to be permissive regarding, for example, the use of the Internet and social networks, since they are part of its main socialization channels and communication with people your age and without whom you may feel isolated from the world around you.

• You may be interested in: "How to set limits for children: 10 tips to educate them"

6. Respect your freedom

Individual freedom is another essential element for the correct socialization with the environment in the adolescent stage and to feel that there is sufficient room for maneuver to carry out leisure or even creative activities will encourage is a good harmony between people of different generations.

As with privacy, there are also some ways to respect the adolescent's personal freedom and some of them may be: letting have the freedom to decorate your room, to dress however you want, to leave some room for maneuver in the hours of arrival at home and not to control your friendships.

Economic freedom is also necessary so it is often also positive that the adolescent can have some money for personal expenses or to develop hobbies and activities own.

7. Respect their opinion

Respect is essential for the proper functioning of any interpersonal relationship, and most adolescents also need to see that their opinion is respected, even if it does not coincide with that of their parents.

The usual trend in adolescence is the questioning of certain culturally rooted beliefs and accepted by previous generations, and Parents do not always understand that they are no longer the main reference of their children (probably other young people their age are), which is why arguments and conflicts easily occur during this stage.

That is why although we follow an educational model based on discipline, it is also necessary to show respect for ideas, positions or approaches that you may have on any subject, in this way we will contribute positively to your construction of personality. Even if we believe that adolescents are wrong, it is necessary to be able to confront ideas with respect.

• Related article: "Educational styles: ineffective parental beliefs and behaviors"

8. Avoid comparisons

While the adolescent is growing You often go through many ups and downs regarding your self-esteem and mental stability; that is why it is recommended to avoid comparisons with other young people of their age.

Feeling inferior to other classmates or believing that their family does not value them enough can be a blow to the adolescent's self-esteem, to their socialization and in general to their health mental.

• You may be interested in: "Do you really know what self-esteem is?"

9. Treat him by accepting his psychological maturation progress

For the adolescent to feel respected, loved and valued, we must not treat him like a child. Keeping in mind that you are almost an adult is something that will greatly benefit your self-esteem and your adult personality shaping process.

Taking her opinion into account, apologizing whenever we can offend her, not lie to her or hide anything from her can be a good way to start treating the adolescent as a responsible person with the capacity to make decisions reasonable.

10. Praise their qualities

Another good way to contribute to the positive development of adolescents both emotionally and socially is by praising their qualities, appreciating your achievements and rewarding your effort whenever necessary.

Adolescents tend to have an unreal perception of themselves and are often too critical of themselves, that is why external support and approval can be of great value to them. help.