Do you ever wish your child could pass through their teenage years and come out twenty on the other side? How much easier would life be if you could skip all the fights and frustrations from thirteen to nineteen? A mind reader? No, I'm not.
I realize this is all too true in far too many homes. I wonder do these parents realize just how formative these teen years are for students. Sure, we've all heard that thousands of times. But do we really believe it? If so, perhaps we wouldn't be so quick to fast forward. I know these years can be difficult on parents. But, it's difficult for them too (a fact we tend to forget at some point along the journey). During this transitional stage of life, everything is progressing. Sure, it doesn't always seem so. Their expectations are growing, their voices are strengthening, their personalities are shaping, their textbooks are getting thicker, and more. Everything in life is changing (a problem we identify with our senior adults and sympathize, yet, our students are expected to adapt without grace). This can certainly be a difficult and challenging time for both parents and teens, but they do not have to get through it separately. The myth that students are against their teens and that parents are against their teens are breaking a much needed alliance. How would your home be different during these years if your conversations were filled with honesty, vulnerability, trust, and love on both sides of the table?
A final thought from the "Parenting from Start to Finish" Bible study session on teenagers from last week: "There is a very bright and fulfilling side to parenting teens that is often overlooked. Simple joys in parenting teenagers include: acknowledging when your teen dresses appropriately; when they use caring behavior with siblings and other family members; watching your teen master a task that previously baffled them; introducing their friends to family members; watching your teen become more independent and increase their responsible behaviors, such as completing homework and chores on time; encouraging your teenager when they discuss problem-solving skills, ideas, solutions, and values."
I realize this is all too true in far too many homes. I wonder do these parents realize just how formative these teen years are for students. Sure, we've all heard that thousands of times. But do we really believe it? If so, perhaps we wouldn't be so quick to fast forward. I know these years can be difficult on parents. But, it's difficult for them too (a fact we tend to forget at some point along the journey). During this transitional stage of life, everything is progressing. Sure, it doesn't always seem so. Their expectations are growing, their voices are strengthening, their personalities are shaping, their textbooks are getting thicker, and more. Everything in life is changing (a problem we identify with our senior adults and sympathize, yet, our students are expected to adapt without grace). This can certainly be a difficult and challenging time for both parents and teens, but they do not have to get through it separately. The myth that students are against their teens and that parents are against their teens are breaking a much needed alliance. How would your home be different during these years if your conversations were filled with honesty, vulnerability, trust, and love on both sides of the table?
A final thought from the "Parenting from Start to Finish" Bible study session on teenagers from last week: "There is a very bright and fulfilling side to parenting teens that is often overlooked. Simple joys in parenting teenagers include: acknowledging when your teen dresses appropriately; when they use caring behavior with siblings and other family members; watching your teen master a task that previously baffled them; introducing their friends to family members; watching your teen become more independent and increase their responsible behaviors, such as completing homework and chores on time; encouraging your teenager when they discuss problem-solving skills, ideas, solutions, and values."
No comments:
Post a Comment