99. Image:
Image can be very important to
teenagers. How they come across to others can really matter to them.
The way they look, the way they dress and the way they style their
hair can be very important.
The image of teenagers can be portrayed
very negatively by The Media.
If your teen looks one way you can
worry that people may get the wrong impression of them and that this
lay lead to problems in school or it may reduce their chance of
getting employment.
Your teen may wish to have tattoos and
piercings on their face while you may worry that allowing this will
limit their future choices. Some school and work places have strict
rules about appearances and dress code while others are more
flexible.
If you are worried about the image that
your teen is putting across, talk to them. Let them know your
concerns but allow them the chance to respond. It may be that they
are able to put your mind at rest if they are able to let you know
that they have fully considered their actions before going ahead.
They need to be able to make the right decision for them. It may be
that the type of place where there is a strict dress code may not be
right for them if they are unconventional in their interests and
views, for example. The parent/carer role can be difficult at times
when our teens are old enough to make and stand by their own
decisions. Sometimes we may approve of their choices and at other
times we disapprove but as long as they know we love them and are
there for them they are likely to become secure and well-balanced
adults.
100. Support:
We all need help and support at certain
times of our lives. Your teen is no exception. At some points in life
they may be confident, happy and successful while at other times when
things go wrong they may need someone to be there to listen to them,
to be a shoulder to cry on until they are ready to pick themselves up
and move forward once more.
If you can develop the habit of
listening to your child when they are young, you will be in the best
possible position to help them as they grow.
We all need to feel listened to. In
many ways we need this more than people giving us advice or
instructions on what to do. Teens respond very well to being listened
to. Even when you have to let them know that they have done something
wrong, they are much more likely to respond positively to you if they
know that you will listen to what they have to say before jumping to
conclusions.
Teenagers benefit greatly from the
support of an understanding parent or carer.
They know that you will sometimes tell
them when they are wrong. You will sometimes apply sanctions so that
they understand the consequences of their actions but if you listen
to them fully they will learn to listen and respond to you.
Part of a parent or carers role is
knowing when to ask for help. You may decide that you need advice
before you can support your teen properly or you may be struggling
with something yourself and therefore you require additional support
yourself.
Part of being a good parent is knowing
when you need support yourself. Other family members and friends can
sometimes really help you with this but at other times it can be very
useful having someone neutral to talk to and work with in order to
help you to become clear on what actions you need to take to support
yourself and your family.
A life coach can be very useful here as
they listen to you and help you to find appropriate solutions to your
challenges.
If you would like to find out more
about life coaching or you have any comments or questions that you
would like to ask then please email me:
cathee@hotmail.co.uk
and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Also get in touch if you would like a free copy of the document '100 Free Ways To Happier days With your Teen!'
Enjoy your child's teenage years. They
can be some of the most challenging yet exciting years of all !
Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might appreciate it.
Thanks!
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