As a parent, you are the most reliable person to ensure that parenting teens might turn out to be not as easy as saying it
. You might have come across with a lot of issues related to how difficult it may be to raise a teenager in the present existing society. Teens at present are not similar how you were during your teenage years. Much have changed from the olden times to the present probably brought about by certain developments to the modern society. This resulted to plenty of factors that are considered to bright about great influences on how teenagers think at present.
One of the main issues that create conflicts related to parenting for teens is about the communication barrier that they constantly point out as the main reason why arguments arise. Present day teens tend to be secretive due to the thought that maybe their parents would not understand what they are feeling. In this situation, the responsibility is on the burden of the parent on how they can find a way to let their teenage son or daughter to share their feelings or problems if there is any. One way to do it is to start creating an open communication. You as a parent should assure the teen that opening up their thoughts and feelings to you are just like opening up with a friend.
Give them the assurance that you can also be a friend. This will reduce the risk of getting influenced by the wrong choice of friends that is precursor to facing troubles that many strayed teenagers suffers. It is a must that you make your teenaged son or daughter feel that the home is the best place where they can confide their thoughts and feelings. Initiating constant conversation with things like how the day was spent easily does this and other simple chit chats. In doing so, you will be able to show them that you are ready to listen each time they need some to listen to them. It provides them the idea that you are not only a parent but also a confidante.
Make it a point that you won't sound as if you are criticizing them at times when you seem to notice some mistakes that they have done. You might end up losing their trust if you tend to appear like a critic instead of someone who is just concerned on what the outcome of their decisions would be.
Responsible parenting for teens requires you to know what is the current practice and not to insist the old practice, which has been part of the way you were raised during your teenage years. This includes finding out what is the latest trend with how to cope with teens. You can find a lot of information from parenting magazines and online websites that offer advices about parenting teens. The most important part of this task is to destroy all the barriers and create an open communication with your teenage son or daughter.
Parenting teens might not be as easy as said; however with an ideal attitude and the eagerness to learn also from them, everything can be achievable.