Top 5 Tips for Parents to Teach Teenagers Resilience
This can be a big challenge for parents, so we’ve come up with 5 tips to help you build your teenagers resilience, and form good habit building abilities, that will help them (and you) form a strong family unit.
- Make it clear you are in charge
A lot of parents fear they may lose their child’s friendship by being too strict with them. However I have found the opposite true. Creating boundaries and sticking to them is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. It will provide a framework for your child to work in.
- Consistency is key
Parents need to work as a team and therefore play from the same rule book. It is important that parents are not open to manipulation. Children are cunning and will use covert tactics to get what they want. If one says no, perhaps the other will say yes. Even if your parenting styles are different and in the moment you may have a difference of opinion, it is important that your children does not see that. Take your conversation with your partner to another room if needs be, but always have a unified front in front of your children.
- Teach them how to Argue
Conflict resolution is a very important skill set and one that children must develop. Technology has given children far more passive means of dealing with their problems. Text messaging being the biggest culprit. The family is really where most people learn to resolve disputes fairly. Helping your child resolve a difference of opinion with a sibling for instance, provides the basis for sharing, negotiating and problem solving in the world outside of the family.
- Create some family rituals
Whether it is Taco Tuesday, movie night Friday or bike riding Sunday afternoon, having some regular family rituals, when consistently committed to are the kinds of things that teach children about building habits, and over time, you hope your children will reminisce about.
- Teach them the power of Gratitude, Recognition and Validation
It has been scientifically proven that when you show gratitude it releases a chemical in your brain that makes you feel happy. The families that we have seen working well seem to praise each other a lot. Compliments are made when positive effort is shown. It costs you nothing but gives so much, and is an important habit to formulate. In the end “you are what you think about most of the time”. So with this notion a positive environment of healthy self talk is an invaluable habit to instil in your children and family dialogue.
Want more information about The Empower U Program?
If you would like more information about The Empower U Program, click HERE, or speak to one of our team about the benefits the Empower U Program will have on your teenager by contacting us on 1300 039 662 or emailing bookings@tomorrowsyouth.com.au.
