Parenting teenage kids is extremely challenging for every father and mother. Teenage is the time when kids land up in a confused state between good and bad. But they are still not that matured to identify the bad and the good and go for the latter. Thus, there are situations when teens end up in acquiring malpractices and inviting troubles in their lives. These bring distress to the whole family too. But keeping teens under your watchful eyes most of the times is also difficult, because your house can never be the type your teenage kid wants. But if your house can really be transformed into a teen friendly hangout, your kids will remain inside it. In reality this might just seem to be too imaginative an idea. On the contrary to your idea, there are some effective measures by virtue of which you can turn your house to your kid’s dream abode.
Follow these steps and make your home a teen friendly hangout:
- Read your teenage kid’ mind
It is very important to be able to read the mind of your teen kid. You need to know what are the likes and dislikes, wishes and wants of your kid and how many of the kid’s preferences can you afford to attend to. Make friendship with your teen child and ask the kid about his or her choices. You might probably end up hearing some weird wishes. But do not be cynical about them and do not start lecturing. Rather laugh aloud heartily to make your child feel that you can reach out to his or her mind.
2. Arrange for teen friendly snacks at home
Teenage kids often step out of their homes just to have a bite of pizza or a burger. You can minimize the frequency of this if you stock up your kitchen and refrigerator with snacks your kid loves to munch in leisure. Do not be too critical about allowing healthy food only in such snacks items. Your teenage kid will not like it and find the junkies sold outside much better than the boring snacks at home.
3. Deal with the changing mood of teens
Teenage is the time when there are internal changes taking place inside the body of teenage girls and boys. The hormonal transitions often have an outburst in the form of mood upswings. Try to understand this and never get irritated. Your must realize that kids start developing a delicate sense of self respect during this age. Therefore, parents must honor this and be supportive and cooperative.
4. Arrangements of teen friendly activities
In order to make home an interesting place for your kid, only snacks and a positive transformation of your attitude will not serve the purpose. You must arrange for activities in the home which your teenage kid loves to do. The vital step towards successful parenting in this regard is to understand the inclination of your kid’s sphere of fondness and favorite leisure activity. For instance if your kid loves reading, have enough supplies of books, journals and magazines on subjects that your kid likes the most in your home. Or else if your kid likes indoor games, like board games, playing cards, etc. keep as many supplies of them as possible so that your kid’s leisure is also spent at home.
5. Lets kid have their own spaces too
It is good to be with your kid every time. But there should also be occasions when you must allow your kid to have his or her private space. Do not be over possessive about your kid and never try to poke your nose in everything your kid does. For instance, if your kid invites a few friends of his or her at home, it is healthy practice to allow your kid enjoy confidential time with friends. Do not try to be a part of such get together all the time.
6. Allow your kid to be a pat of decision making process
Since teenage is the stage in life characterized by minor sentiments in kids, so it is extremely important to encourage your kid to take part in minor decision making processes in your home. Do not override the decisions every time and try to be respectful towards the kid’s views.
