Goals for a Teenage Daughter

Your teenage daughter's main goal is likely to be achieving independence. As part of this process, she may withdraw from you, appear reluctant to communicate and rebel against your authority. Regardless of her behavior, you need to stay involved in her life and offer her support and advice. She still needs your guidance, even if she doesn't act like it. By encouraging her to focus on specific goals and helping her reach them, you can boost her confidence, give her a greater sense of independence and keep the bond between you both strong.

  1. Nurture Natural Talents

    • Encourage your daughter to make the most of her natural gifts and skills. She may have been a talented musician from a young age, or perhaps she has only recently become interested in a particular musical instrument. Helping her focus on a goal that will nurture her talent will boost her self-esteem and give her an outlet for stress and anxiety. Let her explore ways in which she can pursue her goal without your assistance or supervision, for example joining a band.

    Try Something New

    • Trying new things can be scary at any age, and if your teenage daughter is shy or lacks self-confidence she may avoid unfamiliar situations and experiences. Talk to her about what interests her and suggest that you try something together. Show her support and give her praise, even if she fails at something. Help her understand that what is important and character-building is being open to new experiences, rather than being instantly successful at everything. She may discover a new activity that she loves, which could lead to new friendships and a greater sense of achievement, confidence and independence.

    A Healthy Self-Image

    • It's vital to keep lines of communication open and make sure your teenage daughter knows that no subject is off-limits. If she can talk to you about anything that's worrying her, from school grades to drink and drugs to sexual relationships, without the fear of reprimand or judgment, you can help her work out her beliefs and her place in the world.

    Self-Acceptance

    • With your help, your teenager daughter can understand that beauty comes from within. Many teenagers are obsessed with their looks, overly critical of their appearance and willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve the physique of the celebrities they idolize. Help your daughter make the best of what she has by teaching her clever makeup techniques, cutting out pictures of fashion trends she likes from magazines, and encouraging her to follow a healthy lifestyle. Drinking lots of water, replacing unhealthy snacks with fresh fruits and vegetables and regular exercise will improve her physical and mental health and boost her self-esteem.

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