10 Simple Steps To Prevent Your Child From Being A Troubled Teenager
A conflictive adolescent is the product of the new perceptions that all of us experience at this stage of life. Handling the disagreements that these young people create every moment, turns the family relationship into a small ordeal. Preventing serious consequences is the purpose of following these steps.
Adolescence is that stage in which the young person is beginning to experience changes; therefore, he is more immune to feelings, perceptions, and his imagination tends to fly freely. Here begins the arduous process that many colloquially call “The stage of rebellion.”
Attitudes such as responding aggressively or simply not responding, throwing the doors, yelling, radically changing the way of dressing, avoiding communicating with parents … These are key signs that this difficult time has indeed arrived.
Steps to consider to better the actions of a troubled teenager
Below we are going to detail some simple steps that must be taken into account, in order to avoid going through these circumstances:
Step # 1: Establish limits or guidelines for behavior
It is not about totally restricting your behavior. On the contrary, it is convenient to give away a little freedom so that, that way, you do not feel pressured. However, it is recommended to define ground rules to drive it on the path that is believed to be correct.
Step 2: Define a punishment system
Once the previous point has been defined, it is advisable to talk about the possible punishments that lead to breaching any established rule. The best thing at this point is to include it and generate a healthy discussion to reach better conclusions.
Step 3: Avoid contradicting yourself
If the parents have made a decision, it is of the utmost importance that it be upheld throughout the action. In this way, confusion and stress are avoided in the adolescent.
Step 4: Listen to their opinion
In many families, young people are denied the opportunity to express their position in a particular situation, because they are minor, among other things. However, sticking with your word gives you a sense of importance at the core and thus prevents you from feeling left out.
Step 5: Respect your privacy
The adolescent has the right to feel that he can have his personal space. The full freedom of being able to talk to your friends, keep secrets with them, among other things, without mom and dad being in the way. However, parents should be aware of any significant changes in his behavior and teach him to talk and communicate with them.
Step 6: Give You Confidence
This point is reached when the parents manage to establish effective communication with the young person, transmit tranquility when discussing ideas and let them know that, beyond parents, they can be considered friends. In this way, it is achieved that the adolescent feels security towards them and can come to their aid if required or simply share any situation and of different complexity.
Step # 7: Give You Freedom of Choice
Parents must remember that the young person is growing and, therefore, fully capable of choosing their preferences. It is essential that they do not attach too much importance to small things, such as a change in hairstyle and in their outfit. The more opposition you feel about it, the more subversive it will be.
Step 8: Strengthen your self-esteem
At this stage in the young person’s life, it is important that they feel loved by their environment. Not everything they do can be bad, so parents are invited to reinforce those attitudes or actions that add value or are positive for themselves. It is not about rewarding him, rather about trying to increase his self-esteem with a hug, words of affection or a gesture.
Step 9: Avoid comparisons
It is of the utmost importance that parents are totally clear that “each head is a world”, that no one can ever be the same as his fellow man. Constantly comparing him with other people makes him grow insecure and self-conscious, therefore, it is important to avoid phrases such as “You are going to behave like …”, “I wish you looked like …” or “Look how he behaves …”.
Step 10: Let him know that he will always have his parents
The young man needs his parents to constantly transmit their unconditional love, no matter if he does it well or badly, they will be there to guide and teach him.
Parents must avoid behaving as overly authoritarian beings, capable of imposing our word at all costs. It is not about the young man feeling confined in a cell, nor about following every step he takes, it is rather about guiding him through that difficult path that he has to travel.
