Parenting Your Teenager: What Parents Say About Teens

What is hard for parents

Letting them learn from their mistakes.

Trying not to fix their problems.

Learning to trust in ways I've never had to before.

We hurt when they hurt.

Being lied to.

Trying to continue to discipline.

Having the consequence ``fit the crime.''

Hearing ``you don't understand'' over and over, when in fact you really do or want to.

Letting them make more of their own decisions.

What is best about being a parent

There's more time for myself since they can take care of themselves more.

Learning, growing, changing and developing with them.

Watching them grow and mature.

Guiding them in decisions.

Feeling proud of and sharing in their accomplishments.

Hearing ``I love you Mom/Dad.''

Knowing that someday they will be adults who don't live in my house.

What teens don't yet understand

We try to do what we think is best for them.

We have other things in life we want to do besides what they want to do.

Parents sometimes make mistakes.

Sometimes we forget or change our minds.

How much we love them.

Parents want to keep kids from getting hurt, physically and emotionally.

We have feelings and needs, too.

We are adults.

I feel a responsibility to teach him how to take care of himself when he is on his own.

Although things may be different now, we have gone through some of the same pressures and challenges and want to understand and be there for them.

We have a vision for your future and what you can be, but we still love you just as much when you make mistakes.

We get angry when we are disappointed.

How much of a challenge being your parent is.

We want respect.

We want them to have a better life and not have to work as hard as we do.

Understand the stress that comes with the enormous responsibility of parenthood.

Visit ParentingYourTeenager.com for tips and tools for thriving during the teen years. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 5 day e-program on The Top 5 Things to Never Say to Your Teenager, from parenting coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

The Better Behavior Wheel - A New Kind of Calm in the Family

There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More

Car Wash Fundraiser Preparation

Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group?... Read More

Strong-willed Kids: Raising a Spirited Child

Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More

Develop Your Childs Critical Thinking Skills

1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More

Reincarnation: Sacred Children Series - 1 of 3

Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More

ADHD Treatment: Strategy and Philosophy

If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More

Vouchers --- Parents, Dont Depend On Them

Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More

Watch What You Say

"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More

How to Parent Your Teen Effectively

Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More

Help Your Children to Love Reading

It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More

A Little Love, Please?

Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More

A Good Preschool Idea

The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More

Creating a Memorable Travel Journal Using A Stuffed Animal

You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More

Children and Mom and Paper

Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More

Should We Apologize To Our Children?

An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More

How To Teach Your Children Courage

Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More

Raising Boys

The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More

Teaching Reading : Part Two

We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More

Uniforms

Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More

Tools to Find Family-Friendly Content

The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More

Taking Home Souvenirs, Not Junk

Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More

Using Pocket-money To Promote Independence In Kids

In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More

To Clean or Not To Clean

Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More

The Value of Play

Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: What to Do When Your Teen Feels Left Out

On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More

Exams Cause Stress For Parents Too

When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More

Potty Training Caveats- Dont Start Too Soon

The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More

To Test or Not To Test - That Is the Question

Little Suzy has really been having a hard time getting... Read More

5 Simple Steps Guaranteed To Allow You To Spend More Time With Your Children This Summer

Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More

Inattentive ADHD: Just Like Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More

The Seven Keys of Being a Father

Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More

Drugs and Violence In Public Schools

Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More

Parenting Problem? 5 Simple Things That Will Help

What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More