Topics such as sex, booze and drugs are challenging topics for many parents to discuss with their teens. Nonetheless, as a parent, if you really care about your child, you must find a way to discuss such topics. If not, you run the risk of your teenager seeking other sources of information on these topics. These include possible misguided friends, leaving your teen vulnerable to self destruction.
It appears that whenever human beings lack skills, knowledge or experience they will rely on what they understood or experienced during their formative years.
For example, a parent who is pushed to the limits in dealing with their teenager may resort to yelling, name calling, threats of punishment, grounding and even getting physical. The chances are highly probable that such a parent was treated in such a way by their own parent. Without any other strategy, such a parent may feel like they have no other options.
In a similar fashion, if your teenage experience was such that your parents never openly discussed things like alcohol, sex and drugs with you, you may feel also inclined to veer away from such topics. You might reason that: "Since I got by without my parents talking about such things, then so can my kids".
As a matter of fact, to be a responsible parent, it is inexcusable to avoid talking about tough subjects with your teen on the grounds that your parents never thought it as necessary. It is your job as a good parent to break the cycle of inter generational ignorance by getting educated and being pro active.
Based on my own research and life experience as a school teacher, life coach and parent of four teenagers, I want to share with you, a three step approach to effectively discuss issues such as sex, alcohol and drugs in the parent teenager relationship. Each step will require you to do some homework.
Step #1. Clarify Your Values And How They Impact Your Views On Drugs, Sex and Alcohol
The value of this exercise may result in not only getting clear about your values but also modifying your point of view based on newly acquired knowledge.
Step #2. Educate Yourself About Sex, Alcohol And Drugs In The Context Of Young People.
Make the effort to do your own research. Distinguish between the facts and opinions. If you adhere to a certain religion, ask what your religion has to say about the tough topics. Get used to the language of your teenager when they talk about drugs, alcohol and sex.
Step #3. Schedule A Time To Talk With Your Teen.
Once you have done sufficient homework in terms of steps two and three, make an effort to engage your teenager on the hard topics. If you hit road blocks, take a deep breath and keep on trying.
Should you decide to take up the challenge to engage your teenager on topics such as sex, drugs and alcohol, you are streets ahead of most parents. Congratulations! Your commitment to this endeavor will surely reap positive dividends for your parent teenager relationship.
It appears that whenever human beings lack skills, knowledge or experience they will rely on what they understood or experienced during their formative years.
For example, a parent who is pushed to the limits in dealing with their teenager may resort to yelling, name calling, threats of punishment, grounding and even getting physical. The chances are highly probable that such a parent was treated in such a way by their own parent. Without any other strategy, such a parent may feel like they have no other options.
In a similar fashion, if your teenage experience was such that your parents never openly discussed things like alcohol, sex and drugs with you, you may feel also inclined to veer away from such topics. You might reason that: "Since I got by without my parents talking about such things, then so can my kids".
As a matter of fact, to be a responsible parent, it is inexcusable to avoid talking about tough subjects with your teen on the grounds that your parents never thought it as necessary. It is your job as a good parent to break the cycle of inter generational ignorance by getting educated and being pro active.
Based on my own research and life experience as a school teacher, life coach and parent of four teenagers, I want to share with you, a three step approach to effectively discuss issues such as sex, alcohol and drugs in the parent teenager relationship. Each step will require you to do some homework.
Step #1. Clarify Your Values And How They Impact Your Views On Drugs, Sex and Alcohol
The value of this exercise may result in not only getting clear about your values but also modifying your point of view based on newly acquired knowledge.
Step #2. Educate Yourself About Sex, Alcohol And Drugs In The Context Of Young People.
Make the effort to do your own research. Distinguish between the facts and opinions. If you adhere to a certain religion, ask what your religion has to say about the tough topics. Get used to the language of your teenager when they talk about drugs, alcohol and sex.
Step #3. Schedule A Time To Talk With Your Teen.
Once you have done sufficient homework in terms of steps two and three, make an effort to engage your teenager on the hard topics. If you hit road blocks, take a deep breath and keep on trying.
Should you decide to take up the challenge to engage your teenager on topics such as sex, drugs and alcohol, you are streets ahead of most parents. Congratulations! Your commitment to this endeavor will surely reap positive dividends for your parent teenager relationship.
About the Author:
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