In this episode I explain why it’s important to stop Managing your Teenager and start Mentoring them.

I have a handout that accompanies this episode and it can be downloaded from my website: 

📍www.caigraham.com/understanding

Teenagers’ brains are under construction – and with this comes chaos and overwhelm.
It’s a scary time for them – when their minds are a melting pot or hormones and invariably they don’t know which way is up.

It’s our responsibility as parents to hold a space for our teenagers as they get to grips with what’s going on in their heads.
This maturation carries well on into their twenties – so it’s going to save a lot of heartaches if we start adapting as soon as possible.

Whilst they are traveling through adolescence they will indeed:

✔️ Start questioning our authority
✔️ Pushing our buttons
✔️ Making questionable decisions
✔️ Struggle with their emotions and feelings
this is what independence looks like. So (like it or not) we are stuck with it!
Our children are learning how to become a young adult.

It’s what they are programmed to do – so there’s no point in trying to resist.

What I suggest we do is :

  1. Be Patient
  2. Validate their Feelings
  3. Respect this Independence
  4. Consult and Collaborate
  5. Allow for Mistakes
  6. Understand that your child is an EXPERT in their own lives.
  7. LISTEN to their opinions and thoughts.

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Supporting Parents Build a Mentally Healthier and
Happier Generation of Young People

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Three Questions to Ask Your Uncommunicative Child :

All too often parents say to me :
My child won’t speak to me
or
I know something’s not quite right – but they won’t tell me what’s wrong.

Well, I have a resource for you. Download this FREE Resource : 📍www.caigraham.com/threequestions

It will help you reconnect with your child quickly and easily; and in a way that will not drive them to their bedroom to avoid you!

* Breathing Through BIG Emotions :

If you or your child are struggling with your emotions at the minute – then I have a great online course that introduces you to 7 different breathing exercises that a can get you out of many sticky situations :

The Course is available here :📍www.caigraham.com/breathe

* If you need to get in touch – Please email me at toolbox@caigraham.com

 


EP 11 – COVID 19 – Your Teen Knows Best

📍 iTunes : : HERE :

📍Spotify : : HERE :

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