Teens can be hard to talk to sometimes and even to engage with. Many kids are dealing with changes during the early teenage years that can lead them to act out, be closed off, or be generally disrespectful toward their parents or authority figures.
When you are trying to engage with and parent a child going through this period in their life, it can be tough to feel like you are getting through to them.
Parenting for 14-year-olds can be much easier when you have the right tools in your belt. While this might be tough, even with the right skill set in place, you can make your time with your child much more enjoyable for both of you with these tips in mind. Remember that your teen will grow out of this phase and that you will have a better relationship in the long run if you handle this time in their lives in the right way.
If you are ready for parenting tips for 14-year-olds that will make your job much more manageable, keep reading!
Parenting Tips for 14-Year-Olds That Really Work
Hand Out Advice Sparingly
This is one of the critical areas where you need to act with restraint as a parent. While your child has many lessons to learn, and many of them can be taught by you, you need to avoid sounding bossy or preachy.
Your 14-year-old child will balk at a constant stream of advice that feels like it is getting in the way of their own judgment. It is better to focus on the things that need to be said and covered so your teen will be more likely to listen when you offer advice.
While it is true that your teen doesn’t know everything yet, they are learning many things on their own through trial and error, and sometimes this is the best teacher.
Let Them Figure it Out
While it can be tempting to spare your child from disappointment and stress, part of the process that makes teen life challenging is that essential personal growth is happening. When you get in the way of your teen learning their own lessons, you will impede their ability to grow and learn on their own.
Best of all, your child will be learning without feeling like they were pressured to make choices that you wanted them to make. Choices made on your own that have immediate consequences are often the best teachers, and you do not need to fight with your teen over things they can figure out alone.
Welcome Change
While it can be hard as a parent to embrace the signs that your child is growing up and becoming an adult, you need to reframe these changes in a way that makes them comfortable for you.
Remember that your child will have to figure out how to stand on their own two feet and be proud of them when they can, even at a young age. These signs of independence indicate that your child is growing into their ability to take care of themselves, which is a good thing in the long run.
Make a Point Without Being Pushy
While it can be tempting to press your child for compliance all the time, you must remember that you would not engage with an adult in this way. When teens learn to grow their wings and be more confident in their own opinions, it can be hard on parents looking for obedience in their children.
There are many times when you will need to make your point and then walk away and let your child choose to follow your advice or not to do so. You cannot force an adult to do what you want and maintain a healthy relationship; you will need to remember that with your teen, that is becoming an adult.
Be Clear About Boundaries
Some teens like to have their cake and eat it too. You must be sure that you are clear about what you are willing to do when a teen has chosen a path you disapprove of. If they are acting against your best advice, be sure that you are clear about what you will be willing to do to help them if this choice is not a positive one in the long run.
Teens respect fairness above almost everything else and are not afraid of rigid boundaries that they know you will not argue with them about. You might not be able to force your child to comply with you, but you can be clear about your continued investment in an action that does not support behavior you approve of. This clarity makes your punishments fairer to a teen and your communication more open.
Parenting a 14-Year-Old Doesn’t Have to be Stressful
While parenting a teen will have its ups and downs, much of the determination about how stressful the experience is can be up to you. You will need to remember that your teen is going through many changes as they become an adult, and you will need to navigate the changing relationship you have with this min-adult without falling back on old habits.
Being transparent with your teen and consistently fair will make caring for a teen much less stressful for you and them overall.
If you are struggling with the communication and parenting of your teenager, we can help. Reach out to us today for assistance to help your teenager to feel better about this time in their lives.
You and your teen will be able to get through this difficult growing period in their lives if you have the proper support. Call us today and get access to the right support for you and your child.
