Parenting Adolescents

  1. It is scary parenting adolescents. My son is sixteen, and I am currently in this phase. You want to raise a well-rounded, self-sufficient child. Parents know we can not protect them from everything. We also know we have to loosen the string more and more as they get older. Imagine a kite; when you first learn how to fly a kite, it is close to you, and the better you get at it, the sting is not tight, and you let it fly higher.

Effectively balancing protection, limits, and freedom starts with a baseline of rules and trust. Communication is also vital; talk to your child and not at them. If your child trusts you, they will come to you when there are problems. Here are ten helpful tips that I read in an article on WebMD site

  1. Give kids some leeway. Giving teens a chance to establish their own identity, giving them more independence
  2. Choose your battles wisely. I no longer complain constantly about my son’s room being cleaned.
  3. Invite their friends for dinner and events
  4. Decide rules and discipline in advance; we discuss acceptable grades and consequences for the school year before school starts. When we go on vacations, we negotiate rules before we go
  5. Discuss ‘checking in.
  6. Talk to teens about risks. We discuss drugs, alcohol, drinking out of open containers, sex, and being alone with the opposite gender every time he goes to an event. Occasionally, I have him tell me the rules.
  7. Give teens a game plan. Help them figure out how to handle a potentially unsafe situation. Last week, I asked my son what he would do if the parents left the event.
  8. Keep the door open. Please share a few things about your day; ask about theirs. How was the party? Did you have fun? How was your day? Another good line: “You may not feel like discussing what happened right now. I know what that is like. However, if you feel like discussing it later, you come to me.
  9. Let kids feel guilty. People should feel bad if they have hurt someone or done something wrong. Kids need to feel bad sometimes. Guilt is a healthy emotion. When kids have done something wrong, we hope they feel bad (Davis, 2003).
  10. Be a role model. Your actions — even more than your words — are critical in helping teens adopt good moral and ethical standards (Davis, 2003).

Question: How would a child’s coping skills and adaptability be if their parents kept them sheltered?

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A child raised in a sheltered environment would likely have underdeveloped coping skills and adaptability. Here’s why:

  • Limited Exposure to Challenges: Sheltered children wouldn’t have opportunities to face and overcome everyday challenges. This limits their ability to develop problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and resilience.
  • Lack of Independence: Restricted freedom hinders the development of self-reliance and confidence in managing their own lives.

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  • Difficulty with Uncertainty:Sheltered children might struggle with unpredictable situations or unforeseen problems. They wouldn’t have the experience to navigate uncertainty or adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Increased Anxiety:Overprotectiveness often stems from parental anxiety. Children growing up in such an environment might internalize those anxieties, making them more prone to fear and worry.
  • Poor Emotional Regulation:Limited exposure to negative emotions like frustration, disappointment, or anger can make it difficult for sheltered children to manage these emotions healthily when they inevitably encounter them.
  • Social Difficulties:Sheltered children might have difficulty interacting with peers due to lack of social experience or fear of the unknown. They may struggle to build healthy social relationships.

Comparison to the Kite Analogy:

The parenting analogy of the kite beautifully illustrates the importance of a gradual increase in freedom. A sheltered child would be like a kite constantly held close to the ground. While protected, it wouldn’t develop the ability to soar on its own.

Positive Aspects of Parental Guidance:

It’s important to clarify that parental guidance and setting boundaries are not synonymous with being overly sheltered. Open communication, like the tips listed, provides a safe space for children to discuss challenges and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Conclusion:

While parents naturally want to protect their children, providing a balance between safety and autonomy is crucial for fostering healthy development. Sheltering a child ultimately hinders their ability to cope with life’s inevitable challenges and become well-adjusted, independent adults.

 

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