Help for Parents

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Power struggles often arise in families once children hit the teen years. Adolescence is a time when kids are trying to acquire personal power and make decisions for themselves. They are also often experiencing the emotional confusion that accompanies physical and sexual maturation. Conflict between parents and teens can often become so intense that intervention by an agency is necessary.

Various resources and links to wilderness programs, summer camps, volunteering to jobs information for teens are located by clicking here.

Here are some tips for communicating with a teenager in a positive way:

• Keep messages to a teen clear and concise
• Focus on one issue at a time
• Don't argue with what a teen says.
• Focus on your point of view and speak from that
• Try not to talk down to or condescend to teenagers
• Don't lecture to teenagers.
• Set realistic expectations.
• If the situation between a parent and teen is getting out of control, including violence or the threat of violence, they need to get help.

Reprinted with permission from the Catholic Children's Aid Society

Establishing Rules for Teenagers

1. Involve teenagers in the process of making rules, setting limits and reaching decisions,
2. Keep calm and rational even when emotions run high and especially controlling anger,
3. Use this problem-solving method: identify the issue for negotiation, brainstorm solutions, evaluate and narrow down alternatives, make an agreement, and evaluate the outcome.