So You’re Parenting a Teen?

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I’m Not Sure How To Handle This New Teen Stage

Parenting is a journey. It’s a series of ages and stages of our child’s growth and development. Just when we think we have everything under control, a new stage hits and we’re scrambling for answers. If you find yourself feeling unsettled or unsure of things, you might be in the midst of one of these stage transitions with your child. Every new phase of parenting brings questions, especially if it’s your first time down this path, like in the teen years.

pre-teen yearsWhy is she acting this way? Now that she’s older, just how much freedom do I give her?

Sound familiar?

I recently had a conversation with Christi, a mom of a preteen named Annie. She’s ten and a “good kid,” except that she’s getting sassy and testing the limits.

First of all, let me say that kids this age are definitely in a transitional phase. Part of them wants to be “grown-up” and act like the older teens in their lives. The other half still wants to be a “kid” and play with toys and not worry about all that grown-up stuff.

Add to this, their bodies are changing and growing…sometimes at a rate that makes them feel clumsy, awkward and uncomfortable. I remember my kids’ shooting up in height so quickly and they would trip up the stairs like their legs weren’t working right!

Preteens are beginning to experience emotions (and hormones) they hadn’t felt before. Things may seem more dramatic, more traumatic than ever before. Even the little things are big things at this stage.

What Should You Expect From Your Teen?

The good news is that some kids slide right through this teen phase with little or no chaos. There might be some social or physical “odd moments” but for the most part, it’s no big deal.

There are other kids who hit the preteen stage and BAM, they suddenly have a mind of their own, want to make all their own decisions and YOU, my friend, are now the dumbest human being known to mankind. Yeah, welcome to the preteen years. I promise you can survive it as you learn lessons and with some strategies in place.

Christi and her daughter are somewhere in the middle of this teen mess…she’s not sliding through, but she’s also not out of control.

The ABC’s of Parenting

So, what can Christi do with her teen?

I suggested she use the “ABC’s of Parenting.” It’s a method I created and teach often, and it definitely works. It’s an effective way to communicate with your child, set boundaries and create options.

For Christi and her daughter, it starts with Acknowledging her daughter’s feelings. Annie is frustrated with her mom for treating her like a little girl and wants to have more independence. Saying to Annie, “Tell me why you’re feeling so upset with me and I promise I will listen and not get mad” could be the start of some great conversations.

Being clear about the expectations is the second step. “Your dad and I will allow you to do…., but we aren’t comfortable with you doing…..” will set the guidelines for her behavior.

Considering options is the last step. As a family, sit down and brainstorm options in a “win-win” frame of mind. This requires some give and take, some negotiations and a building of bridges.

Will Annie be allowed to do everything she wants to do with the older kids? No, not yet. While her parents may not agree to sleepovers with this group of friends, they may offer for her to stay a little later in the evening and then get picked up by her parents.

A word about negotiation…it’s not giving in! It’s hearing the other person’s perspective, sharing your own and making decisions based on what fits the family values together. (Download a FREE copy of the ABC’s of Parenting here.)

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Amy Ambrozich
Amy grew up in NW Indiana and moved to Central Ohio after marrying her husband, Mike, 30+ years ago. Together they raised three kids, Kaytee, Nick, and Joey, all of whom have successfully launched into adulthood and careers. She is a parenting and stepfamily coach, specializing in stepcouples coaching. After many years as a stay-at-home mom, she discovered her passion for coaching and teaching parent workshops through the Worthington Schools. Amy became a dual-certified Active Parenting facilitator (K-5 & Teens) and a certified Stepfamily Help coach. To fulfill her love of coaching stepcouples she recently became a recognized SMART STEPFAMILY therapy provider. This allows her to share even more "support and strategies for your stepfamily's success!" Amy credits her parents, Joe and Elaine, for being her inspiration and role model for strong parenting partnerships and parenting with intention. It serves as the basis for all her coaching programs. She can be reached at www.daretoparent.com.