Overview
Raising a teen can be quite a hair-raising experience! There can be innumerable incidences which may result in a clash of thought, if not hands. Parents might already be aware all such difficulties faced while dealing with a teenager. So the question remains: how to deal with teenagers? The answer is Bonding with them. A positive, intelligent approach is helpful rather than a strict one. Let us go through the A-Z secrets to bond with teens one by one:
A – Attention
Be attentive to what they have to say. Do not ignore their opinion or presence. Ignorance breaks a teen’s confidence.
B – Being Strict is not a bad thing
Being over-lenient or very strict is bad. Strike a balance and be strict occasionally, in times of need, or else the teen will be out of control.
C – Communicate daily
This will enable your teen to share sensitive issues with you. Talking with him/her daily increases trust levels.
D – Dancing
This may sound a little out-of-the-box, but it works. Go to a club and hit the dance floor with your teen!
E – Exercise
Exercising together in a gym can be quite a bond builder. Plus it burns the extra fat!
F – Friendship
Being a good friend makes you a good parent. It is ok to treat each other like best buddies occasionally.
G – Gaming
Playing video games with them is alright. It shows them your other side and you are reminded of your childhood as well.
H – Hang out together
Hanging out can vary from watching a movie together, playing indoor or outdoor games and so on.
I – Invite them to bake
You can bond well over cooking such as baking a cake. In addition to bonding, it teaches them practical stuff too.
J – Judgment
Do not be too judgmental over certain mistakes or wrong decisions made by them. Be calm and supportive instead. It helps a lot.
K – Knowledge
Share important knowledge. It may not necessarily be technical but it can be any experiences about life in general.
L – Learn What Your Teen Enjoys
Eagerness to learn what they enjoy shows that you care about their choices in life.
M – Moments
Create unforgettable moments with them. It could be as small as helping them in their work or giving them a surprise gift.
N – Note-writing
If you cannot express your affection towards them orally, write them a love note about how you feel and you could slip it under their pillow.
O – Online Shopping
Shopping, in general, is quite a stress-buster and a fun activity. Get involved in shopping some cool stuff online.
P – Photographs
Bonding over old photographs, especially childhood ones, can be very fruitful. Also make sure you click photos with your teen on important events and accomplishments.
Q – Questions
As a concerned parent it is your responsibility to keep a watch on your teen by interrogating them, but conceal your question in such a way that it does not irritate them.
R – Reminisce
Remind them of their childhood, of how naughty or funny they were. Stories about their childhood do evoke a sense of nostalgia in teens.
S – Sports
Sports are one of the best ways to bond with your teen. Follow a common favorite football team, it evokes a feeling of team-spirit.
T – Trust is important
In the long run, your mutual trust as a parent-child is important.
U – Under-estimation
Never under-estimate a teenager. Respect what they have to say. Sometimes, teens know better than parents.
V – Vivid
Be vivid i.e. clear in anything you want to tell or instruct them. Always keep things simple between you and your teen.
W – Welcome their buddies
Be a good host when they call their friends over. Do converse with their friends and also give them their private space but to a certain limit.
X – X rated stuff
Your teen is very likely to stumble upon X-rated stuff such as movies. Show your maturity while dealing with such issues.
Y – YouTube
YouTube is full of amazing and out-of-the-box videos which your net-savvy teen does stumble upon. Do watch them together and have a hearty laugh!
Z – Zzzzzz
Yes, it is ok to sleep on the same bed with your teen sometimes, if you both are comfortable with it. Again, it can strengthen the bonding.