| Raising children isn't easy. If anyone told you it was, | | | | Make sure your rules are enforced fairly, and |
| they were lying. That said, the process doesn't have to | | | | consistently. Just like toddlers, adolescents will look for |
| be impossible - even with adolescents. Children are | | | | ways around the rules and test your willingness to |
| fantastic gifts that make each day a wonderful | | | | enforce them. State up front what will happen if they |
| surprise, but just like every other person on the planet, | | | | are late, for example, and make that punishment stick. |
| children have their good days and their bad ones, too. | | | | Be fair, however. The punishment should fit the crime. |
| When it comes to adolescents, the rules of the road | | | | * Allow them to explore. Just as you allowed your |
| seem to be in a constant state of flux. What was | | | | toddler to take a few steps away from you without |
| acceptable to them yesterday isn't today. Their moods | | | | panic, you need to do the same with your adolescent. |
| swing more erratically than a pendulum on a roller | | | | Children in the adolescent years are in an awkward |
| coaster ride. So, what's a parent of an adolescent to | | | | stages, they're not children any longer, nor are they |
| do? | | | | adults. They need to find their own path, and hopefully |
| Think back to the tumultuous toddler days, that's what! | | | | a good one. If you don't allow them to explore with |
| Just like a toddler who was constantly testing | | | | interests, hobbies and even friends, they won't find their |
| boundaries and striving for freedom while still too | | | | way. |
| scared to break away, your adolescent, too, is facing | | | | * Be involved. Adolescents like to act like they don't |
| the same challenges. The only difference is that this | | | | need their parents any longer, but this is a ruse. Don't |
| time your child has a strong vocabulary, one that can | | | | believe it. Get involved. Know what they're doing, who |
| bite at times. | | | | they're doing it with and where. Find out what they're |
| Just as it is with raising toddlers, the rules of the road | | | | interested in, pay attention to their school work, get |
| for adolescents are very much the same. Some of | | | | involved in their schooling. The more involved you are, |
| the most effective parenting of adolescents involves a | | | | the better. But remember, it's important to strike a bit |
| similar approach. This means giving them enough | | | | of a balance. Trust them to make choices, too. |
| space to explore, without letting them touch the hot | | | | * Be consistent. Carry through on your promises and |
| stove. Let your adolescent children have enough room | | | | lead by example. The more active you are in their lives |
| to figure out who they are without your letting go | | | | and the more you stick with your word, the better. |
| entirely. | | | | Adolescents don't come with a set of instructions and |
| Of course, that sounds a whole lot easier than it is. | | | | while they're bigger, they are still children. This means |
| Raising adolescents is a one-day-a-time job. Keys to | | | | they need you, even if they say they don't. Be |
| raising adolescents (and toddlers) include: | | | | involved. Be loving. And, what ever you do, don't let |
| * Laying out strong ground rules. Make certain your | | | | them think for a second that you're not watching. |
| adolescents know what is acceptable and what is not. | | | | |