Connecting With Your TeenJuly 1, 2014
by Gary Chapman
We’ve heard a great deal about the importance of bonding between parent and infant. What we haven’t heard is that bonding is no less important for the teenager and his parents. Bonding requires time together spent in a positive atmosphere. The opposite of feeling connected is the feeling of abandonment. The teen who feels abandoned will have emotional struggles. Emotional connectedness requires communication. Where do you talk with your teenager? I’d like to suggest a radical thought. Have at least one meal a day with your family, and share what is happening in your lives. A second thought: Do something with your teenager at least once a week. Follow these suggestions and your teen will likely feel connected.
Note from Elizabeth Bourgeret
Teens, what effort do you make to connect with your parents? I know you're busy and you have stuff to do but you hate it when your parents "but in" or ask one too many questions. They aren't used to NOT having you be a part of their life. Remember back to a time when you would ask before you did something or went some where. Your parents knew where you were all the time, so they didn't worry as much. It wasn't that long ago that your parents were the first ones that you'd want to tell exciting news to! And now you have friends, and girlfriends and boyfriends that take a priority over your parents. It means that you're growing up and learning to be more independent, but maybe, if you could include your parents in your life's details a little more, we'd back off on the questions and wait patiently for you to tell us the exciting, or stressful, or happy or sad or even boring things going on in your life. We can't stop being parents. Not ever. It doesn't have a turn off switch so we are always going to want to be a part of your life. So here's your thought for you: Do something with your parent at least once a week. A meal together? Share some ice-cream? Watch a movie? Just have a conversation? Do this and your parents won't feel as left out. (Trust me! It would help you both!)
by Gary Chapman
We’ve heard a great deal about the importance of bonding between parent and infant. What we haven’t heard is that bonding is no less important for the teenager and his parents. Bonding requires time together spent in a positive atmosphere. The opposite of feeling connected is the feeling of abandonment. The teen who feels abandoned will have emotional struggles. Emotional connectedness requires communication. Where do you talk with your teenager? I’d like to suggest a radical thought. Have at least one meal a day with your family, and share what is happening in your lives. A second thought: Do something with your teenager at least once a week. Follow these suggestions and your teen will likely feel connected.
Note from Elizabeth Bourgeret
Teens, what effort do you make to connect with your parents? I know you're busy and you have stuff to do but you hate it when your parents "but in" or ask one too many questions. They aren't used to NOT having you be a part of their life. Remember back to a time when you would ask before you did something or went some where. Your parents knew where you were all the time, so they didn't worry as much. It wasn't that long ago that your parents were the first ones that you'd want to tell exciting news to! And now you have friends, and girlfriends and boyfriends that take a priority over your parents. It means that you're growing up and learning to be more independent, but maybe, if you could include your parents in your life's details a little more, we'd back off on the questions and wait patiently for you to tell us the exciting, or stressful, or happy or sad or even boring things going on in your life. We can't stop being parents. Not ever. It doesn't have a turn off switch so we are always going to want to be a part of your life. So here's your thought for you: Do something with your parent at least once a week. A meal together? Share some ice-cream? Watch a movie? Just have a conversation? Do this and your parents won't feel as left out. (Trust me! It would help you both!)
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