The teenage years are particularly stressful. There are changes happening in the body, and teenagers must cope with being in a transitional phase in between a child and an adult. It can cause some teens to act out. Here are 4 tips for managing difficult teenagers.
1. Listen
The main thing parents forget to do is listen to the child to learn what is bothering them. It’s crucial to get to the root of the problem instead of just fixing the surface problems. Listening will help learn what those problems are.
2. Keep Boundaries
Teenagers are known for pushing boundaries. It may be easier to just let your child do what they want. However, this will only hurt them overall. Don’t allow them to drink, smoke, or blatantly break the rules. If they do something wrong, there should be consequences.
3. Have Fun
It’s important to have fun with your child. Spend time together as a family with plenty of laughter. The more you laugh together, the easier it will be to get through the fights and tough times.
4. Go to a Professional
At a certain point, it may be time to enlist professional help for your child. Schedule them an appointment with a therapist who specializes in teenagers’ therapy in St. Paul.
Your teenager may be difficult right now. Hopefully, it’s just a phase. Get your child some help to get through this time by calling Options Family & Behavior Services for teenagers’ therapy in St. Paul.
