Perhaps your child’s teen years are on the horizon, or perhaps they’ve already begun. These can be difficult, demanding years, ones that require emotional preparation on your part. How can you prepare yourself as a parent?
• First, work on your own self-esteem, so you can withstand with wisdom, insight, and good humor the occasional rejection and criticism of your values, opinions, and choices.
• Second, build a support network of other parents. Compare notes, encourage each other, make agreements regarding rules, curfews, and other limitations.
• Third, take good care of yourself physically and emotionally. You need energy and vitality in order to be an effective parent to your teen and a happy, separate individual beyond your parenting role.
• Fourth, develop an honest relationship with your child before the teen years. Make your feelings and values clear, listen, build trust.
• Fifth, enjoy the good times. Notice and praise your child’s victories and celebrate your good times together.
• Finally, keep your sense of humor. You’ll need it!
An expert in the field of adolescent behavior, Ms. McCoy has authored eleven books on the subject including the best selling “The Teenage Body Book”. Additionally she has written hundreds of articles for major national magazines. Coordinator of the Clinical Ph.D. Program at California School of Professional Psychology and Staff Counselor at the Center for Individual and Family Counseling in North Hollywood, California.