by Dossie M Terrell

Created on: October 25, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2012

Human experiences are continuous. They are what ultimately define everyone, including teens who build on the lessons their parents teach them over the years. Parents should help their teen flush out  and discuss their life experiences as they grow older. If they wait until they are teens to have these talks, it is  usually too late to begin the process.

Respect , honor and uprightness are attributes that should be the linchpin on which family relationships are based. As a part of the parenting process, youngsters must see these values in action. Parents should teach their youngsters to obey those in authority and to live by ethical standards established in the home.

Respect other

It is important teens understand the importance of respecting others and treating them the way they want to be treated. Often it will not be what your teens know that will help make them successful, it will be a combination of skills, communications and behaviors. They should be taught to not only  respect humans, but to also respect animals and all other life form.

Obey authority

Teach your teens to obey those in authority because it is a biblical precept.. Hebrew 13:17 cites, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Your teens may have the skills to be at the top of  their field, but if they fail to obey those in authority, they will not get very far.

Live by a code of ethics

Help your teens develop morals standards that will serve them all their lives. Teens who have been taught strong moral principles usually do not get into discreditable situations. When they are reared in homes where they must account for their actions, the probability of them becoming responsible adults will be closer to 100 percent positive.

Understand their purpose in life

Teach your teens about the sanctity of life and the importance of living purposeful lives. Parents should ask their teens regularly what  their inspirations are for the future. This should not be a decision made on graduation day. The greatest gift parents can give their teens is to help them dream big and to see these dreams manifest through perseverance and hard work. They should be taught if they can dream and see their aspirations mentally, they can achieve it.

Parents play pivotal roles in their teens lives and their many roles are ongoing. However, they should not wait until their children become teens to begin to teach them basic life skills and codes of responsible behavior. When youngsters are taught to plan their lives early on, chances are they will pursue and achieve their goals and will take what they have learned into adulthood and become successful and responsible adults.

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