TRUST AND YOUR TEENAGER

Since I work with teenagers and their families we are frequently looking at issues related to trust. Parents need to be able to trust their teenagers and this is likely an ongoing process. It is also not a straight line. There are peaks and valleys. As the parents we need to not get to the place where we say "I will never trust you again" or the often used "I cannot trust you until you are 30". When there is a violation of trust we need to put in place a "plan" to rebuild that trust. That means you may have to be watching and checking up on until the trust seems to be rebuilt. Also, know that as your teenager develops there will be another occasion to rebuild the trust again. As we are building, loosing and rebuilding this trust they are building trust with us. They need to trust us to be the adults. They need to know we are there to guide them in the process of becoming adults. They need to trust we will not overreact. Yeah, really try to not overreact. Believe me the job is not done when they turn 13 – 16 – 18; you pick the age. Sherri