The world can be a scary place. It's even scarier when you have children. Teens are usually the most difficult because they demand their freedom and really have no idea what they are asking for. With all the bad elements in the world that can affect today's teenager,from teen pregnancy to drugs, it is important that parents are integral in their teenagers lives. The average teen will complain non stop about not having space, privacy, or too much discipline. Let's be honest it's what they do. Just because teenagers complain does not mean that you as a parent are being too hard on them. It might just mean that you are being a parent.

Teenagers are in the final step to becoming adults. When they finally leave the nest they need to know that there are consequences to certain behaviors. As parents it is important to realize that your child isn't exactly a child anymore. Long gone are the days when you just barked orders to a little one who didn't have the mental capacity to understand you. Rules and corrections of teens should be given in a way that they can understand what's behind it. This can be done by talking to them about some of the pitfalls that life has in store for them before they encounter them. That way when they forget, and they will, you can have them reflect back to the conversation you had a while back when you lay down the law.

As a parent you create the example of right and wrong for your child to follow. If you have been constantly teaching them, then there will come a time when you must trust that teaching. Now we all know that they will make mistakes. As a parent you are not just a disciplinarian, but a nurturer, teacher, counselor and confidant. You have to give your teen some space where they can slowly start making decisions on their own, but at the same time, letting them know that if they mess up that they can come to you about it. After all, who else would you want them to go to?

Teenagers complain about you as a parent being there every step of the way. They complain about you caring so much that know who their friends are and where they are going when they leave. They complain about you caring about their successes and failures. After all it is what teenagers do. One day that teenager will grow to be an adult and that adult will understand everything you tried to teach them. And you know what? They will thank you for it.

Learn more about this author, Antjuan D.M. Briggs.
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