How to Encourage Individuality in Your Teens
Encouraging individuality in your teens can be challenging when the media bombards youth with certain idealized images Peer pressure doesn't help either. Part of the challenge is drawing the line between expected behavior and personal self-expression. The other part involves encouraging your teen to say no to risky behaviors that can cause problems for her, her friends and even her family.
Instructions
Individuality in Teens
Define individuality. It could mean that your teen feels comfortable wearing clothing that expresses her personality, doesn't feel that she needs every latest gadget everyone else has and feels comfortable studying for a test when others are out having a good time. Or it could mean that she doesn't feel she has to hide a new piercing, can dye her hair any color she chooses and gets to pick what time she needs to be home. This, however, doesn't mean she runs the house and feels free to talk back and engage in risky behavior. Once you have clearly defined individuality, the next step is easier. Develop a clear set of house rules that leaves room for self-expression. As a responsible parent, there are areas where you expect your teen to conform. If you are like many parents, these include following behavioral guidelines that will keep her safe. An article published in Family Circle suggests that you should teach your kids to "blame you." If your teen can say, "My mom would ground me for the next hundred years if I did that," it takes some of the pressure off her. Keep the rules simple and sufficiently flexible so you can both live with them. Encourage your teen's creativity. Provide opportunities for her to select clothing that she feels comfortable wearing but doesn't violate your sense of what is appropriate. Allow her to decorate her room, but set boundaries on what types of changes you will allow. Let her select reading, listening and viewing material, but provide a wide variety of quality material. Discuss what you think is and is not appropriate. If she has a special talent, provide the materials she needs to develop it and encourage her to practice it.