Parenting a teen can be a huge challenge. However, if you’re prepared, you’ll have the best chance at helping your teen grow into an independent and productive adult.
Here are some super-helpful parenting tips for moms of teens.
Try to Know More About Your Teen’s Friends
When you get to know your teen’s friends and their parents, you can learn a lot about your child. For example, if they are a shy person, they may have lots of friends but few close ones. Or if they’re an outgoing person, they may have more than one best friend, someone who is always there for them.
Ask questions about your teen’s friends’ interests, activities, and hobbies so that you can better understand how they spend their time. The same goes for the parents of these friends. That way, you’ll get a better sense of what matters most to him or her when it comes time to make decisions about college and career plans later on down the road.
Lead by Example
Ultimately, you want to raise your teen to be a responsible and independent adult. This means setting a good example for them by following the rules yourself. As much as possible, try not to use guilt or fear tactics to get your teens to do things they don’t want to do (like chores), which will only breed resentment and distrust between you two.
Let them see that you are an example of someone honest and reliable, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. This way, they can see that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it will pay off in the long run if you stick with it.
Set Limits and Boundaries
As your teen grows older, setting limits and boundaries is important. You can’t let them do whatever they want or have complete control over their lives. Some things need to be done at a certain time, whether cleaning their room or doing homework.
Set reasonable expectations for both yourself and your teen when it comes to enforcing rules and consequences for breaking them. The key here is being consistent so that both of you know what’s expected of each other at all times.
Make Time for Yourself
Taking care of yourself is critical when you are parenting a teenager. You need to be able to cope with your child’s needs and demands, but if you don’t take steps to look after yourself, burnout can set in quickly.
The best way to avoid this problem is by scheduling regular activities that allow you some time outside of the house and away from your teens. Take time off from your regular schedule by taking an hour or so each day to read, watch TV, or even exercise at home. You can even turn to legal cannabis consumption to calm your nerves.
According to Grand View Research (link?), come 2030, the global legal cannabis market will be valued at $102.2 billion. While the youth will be major consumers of these products, some parents too will be participating. Becoming a cannabis mom might not be something you thought of at first. However, you should know that being a marijuana mom is a thing right now, and it’s not just about a trend.
Many moms turn to cannabis use as a means of self-care. For them, it provides relief and lets them calm down in difficult situations. At the same time, it also allows them to regain some of their composure and get back to business with their teens as necessary.
A 2021 Gallup poll suggests that almost half of U.S. adults have tried marijuana. Among these adults, some people are parents. It’s a way for them to relieve stress, so there’s no reason why they can’t indulge in a bit of recreational cannabis consumption now and then.
Choose Your Battles
Teens are going to push the boundaries. Most of the time, they test their limits and see how much they can get away with. They may not be deliberately trying to upset you, but when they do something you find unacceptable, it’s easy to lose your cool.
Instead of losing your temper or having a long discussion about it (which will only make them more resistant), take a deep breath and consider whether this really needs to be an issue at this stage in your life. If not, don’t waste precious energy trying to discipline them over something that doesn’t really matter.
Choose your battles wisely. Some issues require confrontation, while some you can let pass. For instance, drug abuse is a huge problem among teens, as claimed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Underage drug use is also included in this. If anything, this deserves your intervention, and it should get priority over other petty issues your teen might find themselves in, like minor fights or academic issues.
We hope these tips were helpful and that you’re able to build a stronger relationship with your teen. Remember, if you don’t have fun parenting, your teen probably won’t enjoy your parenting either. Thus, make sure to keep things fun and lighthearted, and don’t forget to make time for yourself as well.
