How to Be a Better Parent to Your Teen: 3 Best Tips to Improve Your Parenting
Hey there, it’s Coach M! Parenting a teenager can be one of the most challenging phases in your parenting journey. If you’re like most parents, you’re always looking for ways to improve your relationship with your teen and to become the best parent you can be. Well, you’re in the right place!
In this post, I’m going to share with you the 3 BEST tips for being a better parent to your teen. These tips will not only help you see how you’re currently showing up as a parent but also provide actionable steps to strengthen your relationship with your teenager.
Tip #1: Re-Evaluate Your Beliefs About Your Teen and Honor Who They REALLY Are
Before diving into new strategies, it’s important to start by reflecting on your current beliefs about your teen. Take a moment to ask yourself: Who is my teen? Write down everything that comes to mind. What do you think about when you picture them? What do you say about them when talking to others? Are your first thoughts more positive or negative?
It’s common to find that some of the labels you’ve placed on your teen reflect typical stereotypes like “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “defiant.” But here’s the thing: Our children are far greater than any label or mistake they could ever make. To truly connect with your teen, you need to move beyond these labels and see them for who they really are.
To help you re-evaluate your beliefs, ask yourself these three questions about any negative thoughts you’ve identified:
Is this thought 100% true all the time? For example, is your teen really “lazy” in every situation?
What is an alternative thought that could be true? Perhaps your teen seems unmotivated only in certain situations, like when it comes to a specific subject they struggle with.
What are 3 reasons why the alternative thought might be true? Recalling specific examples can help you challenge your initial belief and see your teen in a more positive light.
By questioning and adjusting your beliefs, you’ll be better able to honor who your teen truly is and address the deeper issues behind their behaviors.
Tip #2: Listen Intuitively
When was the last time your teen gladly and willingly opened up to you about their day, their friends, or their interests without being prompted? If you’re struggling to get your teen to talk, it might be time to focus on listening intuitively.
Listening intuitively means being fully present in the moment, paying attention to not only your teen’s words but also their body language, tone, and emotional state. This kind of listening requires you to detach from your own stress and emotions so that you can truly connect with your teen.
Often, our emotional responses are triggered by fears about our teen not living up to our expectations. For example, if you find out your teen’s grades are slipping, your immediate reaction might be frustration or anger, driven by fear about their future. But to engage effectively, it’s crucial to process these emotions first.
Once you’ve calmed down, you’ll be in a better position to listen intuitively and address the real issues with empathy and understanding.
Tip #3: Nurture Your Relationship with Your Teen
It might sound obvious, but nurturing your relationship with your teen is essential for building trust and promoting cooperation. Consistent one-on-one time is key. Whether it’s watching a favorite show together every Tuesday night, going to the mall on weekends, or simply talking over a shared meal, these moments show your teen that they matter to you.
When you consistently carve out time for your teen, you build a foundation of trust. This trust makes it easier for your teen to open up and more likely to respond positively when you ask them to do something, like cleaning their room or completing their homework.
Nurturing your relationship also involves learning how to ask Empowering Questions—questions that are non-judgmental and open-ended, encouraging your teen to share their thoughts and feelings.
Conclusion: Continuous Improvement
Being a better parent to your teen doesn’t happen overnight, but by re-evaluating your beliefs, listening intuitively, and nurturing your relationship, you’ll see significant improvements. Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present, understanding, and supportive.
If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share this post with anyone you think may benefit from it and for more insights on navigating the teen years, be sure to check out my YouTube channel at Coach M - Certified Life Coach-Master NLP Trainer - YouTube.
Continue growing and learning!
