Teens Really Need These Three

During summer break, if you want to improve your relationship with your teen, start giving them exactly what they want—deep down, that is. According to Sue Blaney, author of Please Stop the Rollercoaster! How Parents of Teenagers Can Smooth Out the Ride, teens need three basic things:

Love: Regularly express your love in ways that feel comfortable for your teen. This is especially true for teens who are uncommunicative.

Boundaries: Teenagers need rules for which they are held accountable. Truly, this is an expression of your love. Teens who have reasonable rules actually have better relationships with their parents than kids with no boundaries at all. Strive to find the balance between being over-protective and giving teens too much freedom.

Power: Allow your developing child to tune into his or her own interests and desires and practice making good decisions. One of the biggest mistakes that parents make is to jump in to solve their teen’s problems, or to tell them what to do. It’s best to act like a mentor, offering guidance when it is requested.

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