The Power Of Being Truly Present In The Parent Teenager Relationship
Lots of parenting experts point to being present in body and spirit for your child is the most important parenting tip of all. That being the case, by applying this one tip alone, you can take a great leap forward in the quality of your current parent teenager relationship.
Let's be clear about one thing. Being present in mind and body with your child does not refer to fleeting moments in between doing other stuff such as worrying about whether you can make the mortgage payment this month, fretting over the fight you had with your spouse, checking emails and voice messages and a bunch of other concerns that flood your mind on a daily basis.
Yes it is true, that as parents, we have lots of things to take care of and therefore we justify the need for multitasking. That is a legitimate argument. However if a human life, that is, your teenager, is called upon to join the queue of things that parents are taking care of, they are apt to grow up struggling to have a healthy level of self esteem.
Already you may have made appeals to your teenager calling for a little empathy and even sympathy given your plight. You also may have appeased your conscience by believing that everything you do is ultimately for your partner and kids anyway.
But stop again and think for a moment. How do you think your teenager may interpret your plight? The chances are they would not be impressed if they then conclude that they have to join the queue for Mum and Dad's attention. If this is currently the case with your teenager is it any wonder that your teenager gravitates toward their friends and places the parent teenager relationship in a second, third, fourth or even fifth position on their list of priorities?
Though we may feel justified giving our attention to other priorities in life, the sad reality is that our precious child ends up as the loser, taking with them a bag of emotional baggage that may haunt them for the rest of their life.
The good news is that the teenager who experiences Mum or Dad being present for them in body and spirit 100% for a good chunk of time, absolutely loves it. They feel cared for, respected and feel that they do matter. Most important of all they will come to cherish their parent teenager relationship above and beyond even their friends.
Whatever it takes, make time every day to give your undivided attention to your child. Push out competing concerns and put them where they belong, namely; in the back seat. Love and genuinely value your times spent so that your teenager can know without a shadow of a doubt that you are crazy about them and they mean the world to you.
Let's be clear about one thing. Being present in mind and body with your child does not refer to fleeting moments in between doing other stuff such as worrying about whether you can make the mortgage payment this month, fretting over the fight you had with your spouse, checking emails and voice messages and a bunch of other concerns that flood your mind on a daily basis.
Yes it is true, that as parents, we have lots of things to take care of and therefore we justify the need for multitasking. That is a legitimate argument. However if a human life, that is, your teenager, is called upon to join the queue of things that parents are taking care of, they are apt to grow up struggling to have a healthy level of self esteem.
Already you may have made appeals to your teenager calling for a little empathy and even sympathy given your plight. You also may have appeased your conscience by believing that everything you do is ultimately for your partner and kids anyway.
But stop again and think for a moment. How do you think your teenager may interpret your plight? The chances are they would not be impressed if they then conclude that they have to join the queue for Mum and Dad's attention. If this is currently the case with your teenager is it any wonder that your teenager gravitates toward their friends and places the parent teenager relationship in a second, third, fourth or even fifth position on their list of priorities?
Though we may feel justified giving our attention to other priorities in life, the sad reality is that our precious child ends up as the loser, taking with them a bag of emotional baggage that may haunt them for the rest of their life.
The good news is that the teenager who experiences Mum or Dad being present for them in body and spirit 100% for a good chunk of time, absolutely loves it. They feel cared for, respected and feel that they do matter. Most important of all they will come to cherish their parent teenager relationship above and beyond even their friends.
Whatever it takes, make time every day to give your undivided attention to your child. Push out competing concerns and put them where they belong, namely; in the back seat. Love and genuinely value your times spent so that your teenager can know without a shadow of a doubt that you are crazy about them and they mean the world to you.
About the Author:
Are you scared, tired,angry and stressed out over your present parent teenager relationship ? If so head over to parenting expert, Paul Saver's site and get a hold of his seven FREE videos. Each video consists of a valuable parenting tip that is designed torevolutionize your relationship. Just click on the link.