You might need to negotiate rules and boundaries as your child gets older. It’s a good idea to monitor how well your child is going with independence and adjust the rules accordingly. Likewise, rules can help you be consistent in the way you treat your child if they push the boundaries of their independence. Rules help to keep your child safe as they try new things.
Set clear and fair family rulesĬlear family rules about behaviour, communication and socialising will help your child understand where the limits are and what you expect. It also models positive ways of relating to others. Talking about your own opinions and feelings calmly can help to keep the lines of communication open between you and your child and strengthen your relationship. And different opinions can be a good chance for you to talk about how it’s OK for people to have different perspectives. Your child’s opinions might be different from yours, but taking them seriously sends the message that you value your child.
This is an important part of becoming independent.Įxploring opinions and ideas is one of the ways your child works out where they fit in the world. If you tune in to your child’s emotions, you can help your child learn to understand and manage these emotions by themselves. Respect pre-teen and teenage emotions and opinionsĪs pre-teens and teenagers go through the physical, social and emotional changes of adolescence, they often experience intense and sometimes overwhelming emotions. making time to listen when your child needs to talk.taking a genuine interest in your child’s interests, hobbies and friends.
It also makes it easier for them to bounce back from mistakes or challenges. When teenagers feel safe and secure, they have more confidence to try new things, and discover who they are and what they want to do with their lives. Supportive, strong relationships help teenagers feel safe and secure. Show pre-teens and teenagers love and support