Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Coping with a teen can make what was when a serene, joy-filled home seem like a fight zone. The inner struggle in between childhood and adulthood that is surging inside a teen s mind frequently leads to problems in between parents and kid. Disputes over things like clothes, hairstyles, tidiness, and family values can quickly end up being the primary kind of communication in a home. Exactly what begins as a small comment can quickly escalate into a full-fledged shouting match as the fight of wills continues. In order to restore peace to the house front, it is essential that dads and moms select their battles.

You may be believing that this is simpler stated than done. Even the very best of intentions to keep the peace and let things go can fall by the wayside in the heat of the moment as an apparently small remark spirals downward into a larger issue emblazoned in a myriad of disrespect and inappropriate behavior. Slammed doors and shouted words may never ever be avoided completely during the teen years. Staircases will sometimes be stomped upon. The battles can be lessened. Take some time to choose ahead of time on exactly what things are worth saying over and exactly what problems just aren t worth it.

Choose what things are the most vital to you as a family and where you are not prepared to flex. Anything prohibited or life-altering are things worth battling for and firmly insisting upon as a parent.

As they are finding out to understand abstract concepts and believe about things through other individuals s point of view, they are generally prepared to follow policies that make sense and appear fair. An open discussion with your teen about different problems can keep the battles to a minimum.

Try to let things go that put on t prevent individual development or really matter in the long run. Of course, when those things cross the line into safety or morality problems, it is time to step in.

It is a teen s task to establish into his or her own individual an independent, self-dependent, adult capable of making his own decisions. The older your child gets, the less she or he is viewed as a reflection of you and is seen more as a person. Grownups make their own choices and deal with the repercussions of those decisions themselves. It is essential to give teenagers practice doing this in a safe and encouraging environment.

Give teenagers more choices and freedoms as they reveal they have the ability to handle them. Compromise on problems where you are able and going to do so. Choosing your non-negotiables ahead of time will assist reduce the battles and keeping the peace in your house.

Living with a teen can make what was once a serene, joy-filled house seem like a fight zone. In order to return peace to the house front, it is crucial that parents pick their battles.

Take some time to decide ahead of time on what things are worth saying over and exactly what problems simply aren t worth it.

An open discussion with your teen about different issues can keep the battles to a minimum.

Choosing on your non-negotiables ahead of time will assist minimize the battles and keep the peace in your house.