This is a sponsored post in partnership with the Center for Parent and Teen Communication.
Parenting a teenager can sometimes feel disorienting and it’s hard to know where to turn to for advice. There’s a lot of resources for first-time parents and parents of younger kids but finding good advice for parenting teenagers is harder. That is why I am really happy that I was introduced to the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. Their website is filled with snackable parenting tips and advice, that is easy and quick to read and is focused on parenting teenagers.
Parenting a teenager can feel really lonely at times. I am constantly questioning myself and wondering if I’m doing the right thing. It’s harder to reach out for help because after 14 years of parenting I sometimes feel like I have no idea of what I’m doing. Just when I was feeling like I had this whole parenting thing down many of the rules seem to have changed. Not only are my kids quickly turning into “gasp” young adults but the situations I have to face are new too, both for them and for me.
Although sometimes I would like to turn the clock back parenting teenagers is also a very exciting time and the basic rules about parenting are still true; we just need to be reminded of that. Sometimes it feels like it, but my kids need me now more than ever, they still look to me for approval and guidance. Having a great resource like the Center for Parent and Teen Communication that I can turn to for quick advice and reassurance has been amazing. I find myself trusting my instincts again and not second guessing myself. Most importantly I have found a renowned love for parenting my kids. After all, no one knows my kids better than me and that is why I have all the tools to help them navigate this new stage and build a strong relationship with them that will last a lifetime.
My Parenting Teenagers Advice Playlist
I have compiled a list of some of my favorite parenting tips from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. These tips really spoke to me and have helped me. Check them out and be create your own parenting advice mixed tape or playlist!
Talk with your teens, not at your teens
I have to admit I sometimes struggle with this, especially after my kids have made a wrong choice. However, focusing on what the objective of my conversations with them really is: for us to communicate and for them to realize that they need to make better choices, has helped me with keeping conversations useful and as drama free as possible.
Lighthouse parenting
Guiding my kids through the teenage years is not always easy but this tip was a great reminder of what I need to focus on. Balancing rules, guidance and also providing them with enough room to explore and become more independent has been key.
Celebrate every stage and marvel at your teen’s milestones
I love this tip so much, it’s probably my favorite one. It made want to start scrapbooking again, I’m not going to though ‘cuz a scrapbook of my teenager’s middle school years will probably mortify them. However, this was a great reminder that teen’s milestones are as important as a baby’s milestones and they should be celebrated and enjoyed.
Teach your child how to manage stress
Managing stress is a lesson I wish I had learned when I was younger. It has taken me many years to be able to pinpoint what stresses me and to find ways to cope with it. For the last few weeks, we’ve been working on stress management with my kids. It has been eye-opening to have conversations about what situations stress them and how that stress manifests. Providing them with a set of tools and strategies to recognize and manage stress has been life-changing. I’m already seeing them put some of the strategies in place.
Keep your cool, it’s contagious
This one is something I have to keep reminding myself to do. It’s sometimes hard to stay calm and collected when you’re having a hard time believing the things your teen is doing or saying. But time and time again I find that every time I don’t keep my cool things go downhill fast.
Spot their strengths
We have been working on this a lot at home and this advice just fit our family and where we are at in terms of our “teenager parenting process”. Focusing on my kid’s strengths has really changed their attitude, this has been especially helpful with my daughter who struggles in school and with social interactions. It has been really eye-opening to see how she is now less reactive, more respectful and less emotional. Sometimes we forget to focus on the good because we are struggling with those things that are challenging but taking a step back and making strengths a priority has done wonders to help with those areas that my kids are struggling with.
School Rules #3
No matter what their age spending time together away from devices, at the table or doing something as a family is always a great idea. As my kids get older we struggle to keep those family meals going in spite of afterschool events and super busy teen social lives but it’s well worth it! And when we can’t make dinner work there’s always family time on weekends. We try to go hiking or to the beach, no cell phones are allowed and this fosters the perfect environment for meaningful conversations and connections.
Visit the Center for Parent and Teen Communication website, you’re sure to find that some of the tips and advice really speak to you. Make a list of your favorites and have them handy. I have mine printed so I can read them again whenever I need to remind myself to stay focused on what’s important and not get distracted by the drama.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- Guatemalan Dulce de Chilacayote Recipe (Crystalized Chilacayote Candy) - February 26, 2024
- Guatemalan Naranjas en Miel Recipe (Candied Oranges Recipe) - February 25, 2024
- Traditional Guatemalan Candy - February 25, 2024
Wow talk “with” and not “at” struck me. Great lessons really on this post. Great job!
This is such a great post to read. I love of parents are going to learn a lot from this. Being a parent is difficult and rewarding at the same time.
Being a parent is so difficult, both being a mother and a father. They both do certain sacrifice and I salute all the parents in the world especially mine. ?
This is perfect! I’m not a parent, but I am a teacher and I work with teenagers. There are some great tips. I’ve learned that staying calm is key! You can’t feed into the chaos as much as you want.
Love this! I grew up bilingual and love that I can speak more than one language. Super cool. My kids are learning 2 languages at school and I’m teaching them what I know as well. always great to keep young minds learning.
I think its really important for the entire family to have or to be a cool parent and to be open one with other, it builds up trust !
Wow, these are great advice. For me, being a parent is so difficult most especially if you have teenager/s. In terms of communication, you need to have a lot of patient talking with them and explaining things in a very calmly way for us to avoid misunderstanding or chaos.
Great advice here for any parents facing the teen years x
I love reading this. It educated me a lot.
Great learning advice! Though I have no kids yet, it is best to learn these things and share to my friends too.
I’m a mother of two boys and I’m dreading the teenage stage. I’ll keep this and other tips in mind.
This is very good advice in working with teens. I know my daughter is just about to enter those years and so I am nervous but cautiously optimistic I can get through this.
These are such great advice for those parents who have teenager kids. I should share this to my colleagues.
My oldest is 10 yrs old and I’m already talking him through stress. This is great advice for those parents entering the teen parenting life (I’m almost there). I’ll have to check out the website!
I was so horrible to my parents during my teens! I can’t imagine having a child like that yet but this is useful for parents that do!