How to Raise Spiritually Fit Teens

With so many conflicting spiritual and religious opinions in the world today, it may be hard for your teen to decide which road to take. You can be the number one spiritual teacher in your teenager̵7;s life by demonstrating and guiding the way. Although you can̵7;t force him into following your beliefs, you can give him a healthy start and trust him to make his own decisions from there.

Instructions

    • 1

      Be a good role model for your teenager. Even if you think she is never listening or paying attention to you, she is actually learning quite a bit just by watching your behavior and actions. If you demonstrate a spiritually fit lifestyle, your teen is more likely to do the same.

    • 2

      Incorporate your beliefs into daily life and make it a family affair. Ask your teen to join you in prayer, meditation or any other ritual that your belief system entails.

    • 3

      Praise your teen when you catch him demonstrating your family̵7;s belief system. For instance, if you see him helping someone in need or offering a listening ear for someone that needs to talk, let your teen know that you noticed and are proud of his actions.

    • 4

      Show your teenager how to be respectful to other belief systems. Use accepting, respectful words about other faiths. Don̵7;t bad-mouth or put down others -- this teaches prejudice and religious intolerance. If you catch your teen acting in this manner, correct him. Everyone has a right to have his own faith and belief system.

    • 5

      Open up the floor for discussion. Talk your teen through her fears, worries or issues about the spiritual life. Don̵7;t be judging or ridiculing, otherwise she may not open up further.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Teach Kids About Money Before High School
      Raising our children to be money savvy is a critical part of parenting. Schools, unfortunately, do not necessarily provide enough education on this front. There are few lessons taught in most K-12 schools about the value of a dollar, the imp
    • 9 Things This Pediatrician Wishes Youd Stop Doing—Now
      Parenting doesnt come with a handbook, so unsuspecting moms and dads are left to figure out a lot on their own. Our go-to sources of advice—friends, the internet, our own parents—might not have the most reliable, up-to-date info. Then when w
    • How to Keep Bees Away From a Swing Set
      While Disney movies depict sweet images of the birds and the bees flying in between lofty trees and low-hanging branches in the spring, bees can be very dangerous. Known to swarm at times, in highly pollinated areas like trees, flower patches and unc