6 keys to understanding and treating a teenager

Adolescence is a stage of change and sometimes of rebellion, so it can be difficult for a parent to manage a relationship with a child of this age. In this vital period, adolescents can experience hormonal changes, situations of search for identity and frustrations that can determine their behavior and relationship with their beings dear ones

The relationship with parents, due to their closeness and their attempt to control their behavior, can cause complex situations and conflicts of great intensity. largely because teens want to be more independent and live life your way.

Many parents go through delicate situations when dealing with their children. In this article, I propose some tips to understand them and deal with your teenager.

• Related article: “Adolescents at home: 7 educational and communication keys for parents”

Adolescence is a complicated stage

Adolescence is a difficult stage and many parents can feel overwhelmed. We have all been adolescents, and we know how the relationship with our parents can become tense during this stage. It is at this moment when people begin to explore new horizons and understand that there is a world waiting outside of the family. A teenager is more sensitive to events that are happening away from the family nucleus, which prepares them for the later stages and for adult life.

This stage is key to achieving sufficient confidence, a strong personality, and to be a successful adult in the different areas of life, and in these years one learns to gain the acceptance of others, especially those of the same age. It is no longer enough for the family to accept and support their children, and those parents who understand this change, will help him to grow healthier in the psychological aspect and be more prepared to face the challenges that life may demand of you in the future.

• Related article: "Toxic Families: 4 Ways They Cause Mental Disorders"

Tips for understanding and treating a teenager

Parenting a teen can be tough times, and conflicts can arise at any time. That is why it is necessary to know how to manage the situation effectively. Now, first of all it is essential to be empathetic and understand the behavior of our adolescent children. How to do it? By following the tips below.

1. have the will to understand

It's easy to get emotional and conflict when a child seems to have his way. But interpersonal relationships with children of this age are complicated for a number of reasons. It is not about giving in to the whims of a child, but understanding the situation as it is will help you better manage conflicts and make wise decisions.

Thus, one must strive to adopt the perspective of the son or daughter, and take into account the whole set of elements that are influencing his way of living life and valuing his own happiness and concerns.

2. Think back to when you were a teenager

Following the line of the previous point, remember what you were like in your stage as a teenager. To understand your child, it is good that you put yourself in his shoes and think of yourself at his age. Maybe you weren't the same, but you weren't perfect either. The need for independence, wanting to explore, the search for identity... are characteristic behaviors of this age that can generate family conflicts.

3. Respect their needs

It's easy to think that just because you're a parent you can take an authoritarian stance over your child. However, it is always better to listen to their needs and reach agreements.

This way, you can know where the boundaries are and allow them certain levels of independence without having to cross them. This alternative is much better than using dominance, which introduces another obstacle in the relationship and makes effective communication difficult.

4. Let him make his own mistakes

Experience can be a good way to learn, because the impact it has on us can mark ourselves positively if we know how to analyze the situation and develop resources to avoid committing again mistakes. Don't be an overly protective parent. To the extent possible, and as long as there is no great risk to your child, let him experience.

5. Contact him or her

One of the biggest mistakes that parents can make is to adopt a position of superiority and domination over their children. Because, as in any interpersonal relationship, communication is always more effective. If your son feels respected, loved, and communication flows, he will find in you the support he needs to grow as a person.

• You may be interested in: "The 8 most common mental disorders in adolescence"

6. actively listen

This point is closely related to the previous one, and because it improves communication. It is not about hearing what she says, but about listening to her both in her verbal and non-verbal language. If you remember your time as a teenager, you know that it was not easy. Now is the time to be by your child's side. After all, one of the reasons many adolescent sons and daughters look down on the possibility of talking to their parents is that the latter do not understand them, and not listening actively confirms this prejudice.

How to behave in front of a rebellious teenager?

Some parents, those with rebellious children, can really have a hard time with how their child behaves. They are young questioners, angry, who often do not respect the rules and who can come to see parents as enemies.

Many parents in this situation do not know how to react and what they should do in the face of the daily situations they experience. Despite not being guilty, they can find themselves in complex and painful contexts. It is not easy to manage this situation.

If you feel identified with these lines, in the article “Wayward Teens: 6 Tips and Thoughts for Parents in Trouble” you can learn more about how to deal with this situation.