Problems Between a Mother & Teenage Son

Many parents find the teenage years to be particularly taxing ones. Teens in general are more prone to rebelliousness and acting out, making dealing with their misbehavior, now more consequential, a challenge. For a mother working to parent her teen son, the task can prove even more difficult ,as there are an array of problems specific to this relationship dynamic.

  1. Frequent Feuding

    • As "Psychology Today" reports, teens feuding with their parents, while undesirable, is far from uncommon. Teen boys get into heated arguments with their mothers because they are fighting an internal war. These boys are trying to create new, more mature, identities, a task which is quite challenging. When moms try to protect their teen boys by putting curfews in place or creating rules, teens can see these measures as an attempt to stifle this identity development.

    Role Re-Definition

    • As children reach teenage years, the family dynamic changes with roles being redefined. The dependence that was perhaps characteristic of their relationship in years past is replaced with an autonomy that can be hard for moms to take, leading to some conflict.

    Boundary Testing

    • Teen boys, not yet familiar with their new position within the family, often seek to test boundaries, seeing how much they can get away with. This can be particularly troubling to moms, as they are forced to constantly reinforce rules that the teen has followed for years, creating the need for repetitive discipline that can prove quite exhausting.

    Gender-Related Struggles

    • Because one of the things a teen boy must come to terms with is his changing body, the difference in gender presents a problem in the relationship of the mom and her teen son. As Family Education reports, teen boys are prone to seeing their mothers as people who can not possibly understand what it is they are going through and, as a result, may be less apt to share information about their lives with these ladies.

    Overcoming Challenges

    • Overcoming the challenges inherent to the teen boy's relationship with his mother is no easy task. To effectively deal with these issues, mothers must dedicate time and effort to getting the relationship back on track. Communicating with their teens, despite the fact that the teens may seem unwilling to, is one way to accomplish this task. Additionally, providing support as the teen moves through this difficult period of his life, and showing him that you will be there for him at all times, is a wise choice. If problems persist, seeking professional help in the form of a family counselor may even be necessary.

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