Get Your Teen To Want To Spend More Time With You
Parenting is a challenge, especially when building a strong relationship with teens.
As teenagers grow and navigate the tumultuous world of adolescence, they may withdraw and become more independent. So, as a parent, it may not be easy to know how to keep the connection strong.
However, even though it can be challenging, it’s not impossible.
Building a strong relationship with teens is crucial for their development and can bring joy and fulfillment to your life.
In this article, I share my journey of how I was able to build a strong relationship with my child and continue to keep it growing.
I also offer strategies to help you create a positive, healthy relationship so that they will want to spend more time with you.
Disclaimer: It’s important to note that I am not a medical professional, and the content provided in this article is based on my own experiences and research.
The information and strategies shared should not be taken as medical advice and should not be used to treat or diagnose any medical conditions.
Everyone’s experiences and parenting methods will differ, and the best approach will vary depending on the child.
It’s always important to research and consult with professionals such as pediatricians, therapists, and counselors to ensure that you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
Understanding the emotional and developmental changes that our teenagers are going through can be difficult.
One minute they’re our little angels, and the next, they’re slamming doors and rolling their eyes.
It’s important to remember that this is a normal part of growing up. They are simply trying to determine their identity and place in society.
By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities this stage of life offers, we can approach any situation with more empathy. When building strong relationships with teens, try to remember your journey through this phase!
Offer support and guidance while allowing them the space they need to explore and learn independently.
It’s also helpful to know and understand the different stages of adolescent development. Know how these may affect their behavior and better understand our teens’ actions and reactions.
Navigating The Emotional And Developmental Changes Of Adolescence
Parenting a teenager is often like being on a rollercoaster ride. It is full of twists, turns, and unexpected emotional and developmental changes. So, hang on tight!
As they navigate this growth and change, it’s natural for them to experience a wide range of emotions. Raising my teenager has been a wild ride.
One moment, I feel like a pro, confident in my parenting skills. The next, my teenager is moody, and I hardly recognize them. But, I’ve learned to take it all in my stride.
It’s not easy being a teenager. Mostly, they’re just trying to figure out where they fit in the world and don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.
We always want to be able to ‘fix’ things for our kids and jump into problem-solving mode. However, I have found in moments where emotions are running high, it’s important to try another approach.
The most helpful thing we can do is offer a listening ear, a comforting hug (if they will allow you near them, that is!), or a supportive word.
Often, acknowledgment and validation of their feelings helps when building strong relationships with teens.
This phase in our lives has been about my teen and the whole family, presenting challenges and changes in our household dynamics.
We have found that it has been essential to be open and communicative with each other and navigate these changes together.
Boundaries, Communicating And Respect In Building Strong Relationship With Teens
Setting boundaries, communicating openly, and showing mutual respect are critical to building strong relationships with our children.
Establishing clear boundaries has helped our daughter understand what our expectations are of her. These boundaries help her feel safe and secure.
We also encourage open communication, as it allows us to understand her perspectives, and she feels heard and understood.
By showing mutual respect in this way, we demonstrate that our teen is a valued and important family member.
Finding the right balance between setting boundaries and being open and supportive has come with challenges. However, with practice and patience, we have developed the skills and understanding needed to build a positive and strong relationship with teens.
One of my best tips are always to be open for dialogue and listen to your teens. Respect their opinion even if it doesn’t align with yours, and be willing to compromise.
Mutual respect and understanding can go a long way in fostering a relationship built on trust.
Establishing Expectations and Building Trust through Clear Communication
Setting expectations and building trust through clear communication is crucial in developing strong and healthy relationships.
We have certainly had challenges knowing exactly how to set boundaries and expectations.
Still, by communicating openly and clearly with our daughter, we ensured everyone is always on the same page.
Doing so has also helped prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, and our teen knows what we expect.
Clear communication also helps in building strong relationships with teens, moreover, building trust with them.
Being transparent and honest with our daughter means she can trust us. In turn, we have found that she is more likely to open up to us when she needs to talk or seek help.
On the flip side, building this trust has been a great way to gain respect for the boundaries we set. In fact, our daughter is more willing to take our advice.
Remember, trust builds over time and it’s essential to be consistent and reliable in your communication. Also, be open to feedback and willing to make changes as needed.
Building Strong Relationships With Teens Through Activities
Creating meaningful and enjoyable activities is an excellent way to bond and strengthen relationships.
Doing things together as a family is fun and helps build memories and a sense of connectedness.
For example, my daughter and I take our dog to weekly agility sessions together.
This shared experience has helped to build a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.
Our agility classes align with her interests, passions, and goals, and I have found that she engages and participates actively.
By showing an interest and supporting her activities, I have demonstrated that I respect her individuality. Also that I am willing to invest my time in what she cares about.
These classes have been a great way to learn more about my daughter’s thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. It has opened up new opportunities for dialogue and understanding and allowed for building strong relationships with teens.
Incorporating regular activities has helped to create a sense of routine and stability in the family. It has provided a positive distraction from the stresses and pressures of teenage life.
We have had so many enjoyable moments and made many memories to look back on and remember fondly.
Building Shared Hobbies, Interests, and Goals
Another way of building strong relationships with teens is by engaging in activities we both enjoy and care about. Sharing time together has created a sense of connectedness and shared purpose.
By discovering new things and sharing experiences, we have built a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.
It has also been a great way to learn more about our daughter’s interests and passions. In fact, I have shown her that I care about them too, and we gain new skills, knowledge, insights and perspectives.
Some great examples are joining a music class if your teen is into music or attending a concert together. If they enjoy sports, maybe join a local sports league, and if cooking is their thing, go to a cooking class together or just get active in the kitchen.
By actively engaging in their interests, you show them that you respect and support their individuality.
Additionally, building shared goals can be a great way to create a sense of shared purpose and direction.
It can be as simple as planning a family vacation or a more ambitious goal such as running a marathon together (although I’m pretty sure my daughter is allergic to exercise).
These goals can help you and your teens to focus on something positive and to work together towards a common goal.
They can also be a great way to build lasting memories and moments of pride and accomplishment for both of you.
Supporting Your Teen’s Interests, Goals, and Needs
Take the time to understand and support your teens’ passions and aspirations. Doing this shows them that we believe in them and are committed to helping them reach their full potential.
It’s essential to be open and communicative, actively engage in their interests, and encourage and support their goals.
It can also be helpful to offer advice and guidance – when they ask for it. However, be mindful of giving them space to make their own choices and decisions. This is essential when building strong relationships with teens.
By respecting their individuality and supporting their goals, we help teens build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
It’s also important to understand our teens’ needs and provide the support and resources they need to be successful.
These include:
- providing them with a safe and stable home environment,
- ensuring access to healthy food and appropriate medical care,
- and supporting them emotionally when needed.
By meeting their basic needs and providing them with the support they need to thrive, we are setting them up for success in all areas of their lives.
Encouraging Their Individuality, Passions, And Aspirations
Give teens support as they discover their individuality, passions, and aspirations.
Engage in conversations about their unique interests and passions to build a strong relationship with teens. This demonstrates our belief in their potential and a commitment to help and support them on their journey to reach it.
By promoting their individuality, we aid in developing self-esteem and self-awareness.
Encouraging passions helps them find purpose and meaning in their lives, whether those passions are career-related or not.
By listening to their goals and providing support and guidance, we can help them develop the skills and confidence they need to achieve their aspirations.
Overall, supporting our teens’ passions and aspirations helps them become well-rounded individuals and reach their full potential.
Final Word On Building Strong Relationships With Teens
Building strong relationships with teens can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
Understanding their emotional and developmental changes, setting boundaries and communicating openly are vital. Indeed, by showing mutual respect, creating enjoyable activities and supporting their interests, goals, and needs, we foster a positive, healthy relationship with our teens.
Remember that building a strong relationship with our teens takes time and patience and that every teenager is unique.
The key takeaway is to be empathetic, open and consistent in your approach.
I hope this article has been helpful and given you some ideas for building stronger relationships with teens.
I encourage you to use these strategies and keep working on building a positive, healthy relationship with your teenagers.
The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are well worth it.
Gemma Smith is a stay-at-home mom of three children, who writes about her personal experience of raising children with complex mental health conditions, along with how she has created multiple successful handmade businesses from home at <a href="https://gemmaannesmith.com/" target="_blank">www.gemmaannesmith.com</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-smith-559b60253/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-smith-559b60253/</a>
