Top 6 Ways To Get Closer To Your Teen

So how many times have you sighed because your teenager does not listen and your partner does not do much to help either? I am guessing a little more than few times. Now you must be thinking that here goes this writer trying to give us parenting advice, well the next few sentences might shock you.

I am not a parent, I am the oldest sibling, which I think it is fair to say feels pretty much like parenthood specially if your siblings are quite a few years younger than you.

Okay coming back to the point, your teenager doesn't listen, you complain and down the drain goes whatever plan you had made for the rest of the evening. How to change it?

You must firstly understand that the rebellion phase that your teenager is going through is a tactic to gain your attention, only the problem is that they do not quite realise it and neither do you, Here are top 6 solutions that will bring you closer to your teen and reduce the daily ruckus in your home.

1. Skin Deep

They utter the word tattoo/piercing and expect you to go all dramatic, they are expecting the word "No" out of your mouth. Instead of initially being negative, take interest in what they are talking about. Next tell them that you will let them go with it once they tell you that are they doing this to impress someone. (Believe me, they always are). By the time your conversation is done they would no longer feel the need to express them self via a tattoo or piercing because they just had a heart filled chat. (P.S: Ignore all of the eye rolling head shaking and derogatory remarks that they give, it is a sort of a test to see how long do you last!) If none of that works, type 'boil' on Google and show them a few pictures. Nightmares, maybe... Tattoo, no way!

2. A Tit For Tac

Do your teens treat you like a disease in front of their friends? I think it is about time to give them a taste of their own medicine. The next time you have friends or relatives or acquaintances over, whom your teens expect you to brag about... Don't! Act embarrassed of your kids, sure it will not leave a great impression on the guests but it will certainly make your teens realise that something is up...

3. I Am Not A Kid

How many times have you heard that one? Next time use it against them. Add extra responsibilities on them but make sure you appreciate them for it also let them know how only an adult can do whatever they are about to. Believe me, even though Shakespeare said that man faces childhood twice, fact is that a person is perhaps most childish as a teen.

4. Leave Me Alone

Do it, give them a silent treatment, they will come to you.

5. Band issues

So your teen wants to start a band. Let them do it in the safety of your home on the condition that their grades will not drop.

6. Drugs & Alcohol

Every teen does it and every parent dreads it. How to stop your teen from it? Involve them with so much that they do not have time for drugs. Make them feel like you depend on them instead of vice versa and see how it works.

Qudsia Pervez