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Parenting teens: Encouraging responsible behavior
Helping an adolescent become a caring, independent and responsible adult is no small task. Follow these parenting tips for teens, from setting limits to enforcing consequences.
By Mayo Clinic staffAdolescence can be a confusing time of change for teens and parents alike. But while these years can be difficult, there's plenty you can do to nurture your teen and encourage responsible behavior. Consider these parenting tips for teens.
Show your love
One of the most important parenting tips for teens involves positive attention. Spend time with your teen to remind him or her that you care. Listen to your teen when he or she talks, and respect your teen's feelings. Also, keep in mind that only reprimanding your teen and never giving him or her any justified praise can prove demoralizing. For every time you discipline your teen, aim to compliment him or her twice.
If your teen doesn't seem interested in bonding, keep trying. Regularly eating meals together may be a good way to stay connected to your teen. Better yet, invite your teen to prepare the meal with you. You also might encourage your teen to talk to other supportive adults, such as an uncle or older cousin, for guidance.
Minimize pressure
Don't pressure your teen to be like you were or wish you had been at his or her age. Give your teen some leeway when it comes to clothing and hairstyles. It's natural for teens to rebel and express themselves in ways that differ from their parents.
If your teen shows an interest in body art — such as tattoos and piercings — make sure he or she understands the health risks, such as skin infections, allergic reactions, and hepatitis B and C. Also talk about potential permanence or scarring.
As you allow your teen some degree of self-expression, remember that you can still maintain high expectations for your teen and the kind of person he or she will become.
Encourage cybersafety
Get to know the technology your teen is using and the Web sites he or she visits. If possible, keep the computer in a common area in your house. Remind your teen to practice these basic safety rules:
- Don't share personal information online
- Don't get together with someone you meet online
- Don't send anything in a message you wouldn't say face to face
- Don't text while driving
- Talk to a parent or trusted adult if an interaction or message makes you uncomfortable
(1 of 2)
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- Facts for families: Discipline. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/discipline. Accessed Dec. 12, 2008.
- Aten CB, et al. Caring For Adolescent Patients. 2nd ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2006:827.
- Ginsburg KR, et al. A Parent's Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2006.
- Next stop adulthood: Tips for parents. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/featured/nextstopadulthood.pdf. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Nicoletti A. Perspectives on pediatrics and adolescent gynecology from the allied health care professional. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2004;17:215.
- Broughton DD. Keeping kids safe in cyberspace. AAP News. 2005;26:11.
- What you should know about technology. National Safety Council http://downloads.nsc.org/pdf/7-9500Technology.pdf. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
