Ways to Support & Encourage Your Teenage Daughter

Quality Time

• Your teen needs a listening ear, which means giving her time and attention. Show interest in the things she's passionate about, suggests the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry -- whether it's sports, schoolwork, art or some other interest. Make time for your daughter and let her know you're willing to communicate by asking questions that require more than a one-word answer. Also, communicate on her terms. You may find your daughter is more open to talking in casual settings -- the car or the TV room, for instance. Eating meals together is a way to "check in" regularly and create a daily ritual based around listening to your child.

Everyday Stress

• Let's face it: Teens have a lot to deal with. And a teen girl striving to keep good grades, maintain a social life and participate in extracurricular activities can be overwhelmed. Help your teen assess her stress level and prioritize between activities that could be canceled or postponed and those that she's most passionate about, PsychCentral suggests. When you can, help lighten her burden. While you can't do her homework, you can provide a quiet, distraction-free area of the home where she can better concentrate. You may need to temper your own expectations for your daughter. While it's important to encourage her to succeed, putting too much pressure on her could backfire. Also, help your teen set attainable and timely goals. Rather than setting an ambiguous goal to "improve grades," help her set a goal to improve one grade letter this semester. It's less overwhelming and more attainable.

Allow Independence

• Your teen is operating on the cusp of adulthood, so it's only natural that she'll want to test her independence. Make sure she can do so freely by giving her choices and allowing her to take responsibility, as well as experiencing the consequences of her actions. Giving your teen choices will help her feel more independent. If she breaks curfew, for example, let her choose her own punishment from two or three you select. Try to expect and assume the best from your daughter, suggests the University of Illinois Extension -- she might just surprise you. And choose your battles wisely so she doesn't feel like you're constantly nagging. While you may not love her purple hair, it may be more important to talk about grades.

Build Confidence

• Your teen's confidence is bound to ebb and flow -- one moment she may be flying high on the heels of a perfect exam and the next, her confidence could wane after she's passed over for a school dance. You can help build her confidence by offering specific praise for effort-based abilities. Instead of letting your teen know she's beautiful -- something she has no control over -- you could give kudos for extra soccer practice or learning to play an instrument. Be generous when it comes to praise. Don't hold back from a teen who needs affirmations and compliments. It will also help your daughter if you limit her exposure to the unattainable standards portrayed in magazines and the media. Or, if you can't limit exposure, talk about the images and remind your teen they aren't realistic.

Practice What You Preach

• You can't expect your teen to feel encouraged and supported if you don't practice what you preach and set a good example. Quit negative self-talk around your daughter. If you're constantly berating yourself and utilizing negative self-talk, your daughter may not believe you when you offer her encouragement. Avoid letting your teen hear you make negative comments about your appearance, particularly when it comes to weight. This could allow your teen an unhealthy preoccupation with her appearance as well. If you focus on and cultivate your own skills, you show your teen the effort is worth the payoff -- even in adulthood. When necessary, admit your mistakes and apologize to your teen. It helps set the tone for your relationship and shows her that you're teammates -- not opponents.