Guiding Your Adolescent Child Through Teen Issues

You are right about your gut feel that your adolescent child needs guidance. Because he/she is at that stage when they are struggling with a lot of issues – biological, social and academic – you are left wondering about the parenting style that would be appropriate. Stern parenting may, perhaps, overwhelm your teen?

Many parents with an adolescent child are in the same boat, unsure of the way to properly guide their child. Many discovered that it pays to have a professional helping them along the way.

Teenage Issues They Worry About

This is a big world they live in. As they reach adolescence, they will realize that a lot of things are beyond their control, that there are rules to abide by, and expectations to meet. This means not having enough money is a problem of global economics, that going to school and being educated are important to have better opportunities and life, and that they have to pass school to graduate.

If these aren’t enough, think of their quest for identity, of trying to fit, to belong and to be accepted, of bullies and of body image. Consider too that they are in that stage when their hormones may rule and their brains are busy making and pruning neuronal connections. As a result, teens are more susceptible to being caught up in a troubled life with more issues –alcohol and drugs; teen relations, pregnancy and parenthood; and getting into abusive relationships.

Helping Your Teen

Regardless of the parenting style, it is most important to build a healthy relationship with your child. Communicating and being connected is a two-way thing; this is the best way to know what is bothering your teen, for him/her to listen to you, and to make your child feel secure, loved and trusted.

Accept the fact that it’s normal for teens to be worried and to have fears about a lot of things. When these worries or problems, however, start to harm them in any way, it is time to interfere. Know the signs to observe – being constantly edgy, disrupted routines, being angry, cranky, sleeplessness, defiance, withdrawal, etc. If there is a red flag behavior, it is very important to seek professional help.

Getting and Providing Professional Help

If you are proactive, consulting a counselor to help you learn appropriate parenting styles is a good strategy. The process will not only provide you with a “sounding board” and stabilizer, it will also keep you calm, while not losing perspective of your parenting goals. As events unfold or take a worse turn, you have a professional ally who can help you “read” your teen’s ambivalent behavior and help your child work through his/her problems.

You don’t have to wait until your teen’s worries have consumed him/her. You can call Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC now for help. The independently contracted therapists can work with you and your child to handle the issues that overwhelm them. Call now for an appointment!

We can Help! Call NOW!

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