Navigating Teen Relationships: Parents

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The podcast link to This is So Awkward 

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's focus on one of the most challenging aspects of parenting—our relationships with our teens. This episode marks the beginning of our series on navigating the dynamic and often tricky relationships between parents and their teenage children. Stick around until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to a wealth of resources to support you in this journey.

Oh boy, this is a challenge every parent faces. While I'm not a parent coach, I know a few amazing ones who have taught me a lot. Feel free to reach out if you want a connection to one of my incredible colleagues for parent coaching. In this episode, I’ll share information about my resources, lessons I've learned as a parent of teens, and insights from coaching teens. I've also listened to countless hours of podcasts from experts in the field, and I'm excited to share what I've learned.

Our relationship with our teens is changing because so much of their lives are changing. Ironically, when they need us the most, they often pull away. It's crucial for them to know we are still there when they muster the courage to come to us. One of the hardest things is dealing with the hurt when they don’t reach out to us for help. I’ve found myself reacting in ways that reflect my own hurt, which is never the right answer. Remember, we all make mistakes, especially when we’re hurting.

Having spoken to hundreds of teens, I know they want to trust us and need to know we will be there when they make mistakes. As parents, it’s tempting to say, "I told you so," but hold back! Instead, listen to them, ask what they learned, and help them evaluate the situation and identify what they could have done differently. This approach helps them problem-solve and learn from their mistakes, preparing them for life outside the home.

So, what are some key strategies for building a strong relationship with your teen? Here are a few I’ve found particularly effective:

Admit Your Own Mistakes:

• Demonstrate to your children that mistakes happen and no one is immune.

• Show them how to handle themselves when they make a mistake by owning up to your actions.

• If you hide or deny your mistakes, your teen will likely do the same, leading to worse outcomes when they get caught.

Learn to Listen:

• Often, we wait to respond rather than truly listening to our teens. This approach doesn’t work.

• Practice active listening. When I started practicing it, the results were incredible.

Setting Boundaries and Being a Sounding Board:

• Set rules that provide a safe environment without being overly restrictive. Your role is to be a non-judgmental sounding board.

• When setting rules, ensure they are balanced so your teen doesn’t feel the need to rebel excessively. Remember, we are their lifeline.

The two best things you can do to show your teens that your relationship is solid are to admit your mistakes and listen actively. These behaviors demonstrate how to handle mistakes and create a supportive environment.

Want to learn more? Access the full resource on navigating difficult conversations and conflicts with your teen by signing up with your email! The link to join our email series with all the resources can be found in the show notes.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in building healthy, positive relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.