My Focus on Family Life and Parenting

The Guidance of Parents

As they come to know better who they are, adolescents form their own value system.  Their world starts expand.  Teens accept some ways of doing things, modify others, and discard a few.  Even their own parents values are not spared scrutiny.

Teenagers try out which values are for them, they ask “situational questions” or questions that occur them as they live their lives.  The presence of parents is important.  Teens need someone to answer these questions.  Parents need to give their children a good inventory of values, not just values from the television or the next-door neighbor.

Sometimes, teenagers may ask what seem like silly questions.  Don’t just shrug these off or give flippant answers.  These questions are very important to them.  Building a good relationship with them means being open to their ideas.  Answer their questions honestly, without laughing at them or trivializing them.  These reactions tend to block off communications.  Also, they express disrespect for the children’s feeling.  When asked, just reply.