| A few weeks ago a Mom touched on a very | | | | emotional assistance. |
| interesting subject - our teens are growing up and | | | | Teens need their parents' stability, advice, and |
| leave us wondering if we are doing enough for | | | | support. To be able to give your teen the support |
| them. "My older son (16) is hardly home between | | | | he needs, to have your teen tell you when he's in |
| school and his job," she said. "And my younger | | | | trouble, and to have him come to you with |
| son, 13, is always on the computer. I feel I should | | | | questions, you need to keep an emotionally close |
| be doing something for them - I feel so useless." | | | | relationship with your teen. This does not mean |
| Teenagers are not clinging onto our shirttails as | | | | that you have to spend a lot of time together, |
| they did when they were little. | | | | but that you have to trust and respect each |
| They used to be around us, needing things all day | | | | other. |
| long. Now everything revolves around school and | | | | To be able to build this mutual trust and respect, |
| friends, and we are pushed to the sidelines. | | | | stay active in your teen's life. Take your daughter |
| No wonder parents feel that their teen does not | | | | shopping, discuss styles and fashion, and look at |
| need them anymore. Teens are learning how to | | | | fashion magazines together. Plan a beauty |
| become self-sufficient, responsible adults. It is | | | | treatment, go to a spa, massage, or get your |
| natural that teens start to pull away from parents | | | | nails done. |
| and family and begin to build their own circle of | | | | Take your son to places that fascinate boys - |
| friends and activities. | | | | Motocross, Stock-car racing, paint-ball, even the |
| Even with parents stepping into the background, | | | | local fun center. Allow him to take a couple of |
| our teen could not possible become self-sufficient | | | | friends along, and he'll boast: "Guess what! My dad |
| and confident without our emotional support. | | | | is taking us to...." |
| Teens are conquering new territory; they are | | | | Your teenager might not want to do the same |
| trying to make decisions about their daily lives, | | | | things he enjoyed as a child, but that does not |
| without having any experience or knowledge of | | | | mean he does not want to spend any time with |
| how to. | | | | you at all. It might be challenging to find time to fit |
| Sure, they have their friends - but their friends | | | | your teen into your day, but it is necessary in |
| don't have experience either. Some teens are | | | | order to stay an active part in your teen's life. |
| masking their insecurity better than others. | | | | Finding new ways of staying active in your teen's |
| Although not sure about anything, they portray | | | | life will strengthen your bond and give you the |
| some level of assurance and conviction, so their | | | | opportunity to listen and to learn about your |
| peers don't make fun of them. | | | | teen's opinions. You also will have the chance to |
| Parents can misunderstand this false | | | | reinforce moral standards while creating memories |
| self-confidence as their teen not needing them | | | | that may last a lifetime. |
| anymore. Don't let their attitude fool you - they | | | | This article is available for reprint with author's |
| need you now just as much as when they were | | | | resource box intact and all links live and clickable. |
| learning how to walk, but their need for physical | | | | Author reserves copyright. |
| assistance has been replaced with the need for | | | | |