I think I will take a break from blogging about panic attacks today to talk about teens making us angry. Raising teenagers is not for the feign of heart. If anyone ever told you that raising teenagers would really be your favorite time of life they were lying. Teenagers are tough. They have their own issues of surviving the changes of adolescence, they are trying to grow up and leave, and they are attempting to develop an individual identity. All of these things pull together to make them at times your waking nightmare.
It makes me think about suiting up for battle. Not that a fight should ensue but that you must be ready for what is thrown at you. Teenagers will often push away from you and also they will push back. Things that worked once do not work so well now. As the parent it is important to not personalize what they say and do. You can require you be treated in a respectful manner but the pushing will still occur. The better you handle that the more you will all survive adolescence. I tell parents all the time. You need to be firm but keep your cool. When you just get angry you give your power away. I know some days it seems impossible but when you can do this you will have more success in the end. Sherri
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