How to Be Supportive to a Teen

Parenting a teen can often mean navigating tumultuous waters. One day, your teen sees you as her hero and the next, she may view you as her enemy and captor. While your teen's emotions may fluctuate, your role in her life shouldn't -- by being supportive to her, you remind your teen that from schoolwork to sports, you're a constant and unchanging influence in her life.

Instructions

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      Make time for your teen every day. Even if she hides in her room or tells you she doesn't want to talk, she still requires support and attention. Try talking to your teen in more casual settings, like in the car or while watching TV. She may be more willing to open up and share what's going on in her life. Knowing that you're always there and want to listen can help her feel more supported.

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      Support your teen's interests, even if they aren't your own, suggests the Dr. Phil blog. Your child is an individual and if you try to force her into extracurricular activities and interests that are yours rather than hers, she may feel as though you don't accept her completely. Whether it's attending an art show, cheering on at a soccer game or sitting front and center during a play, let your teen lead; and support her, even if they're not your first-choice activities.

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      Acknowledge and validate your child's feelings using the right language. Registered clinical counselor Klaus Klein notes on his website that while teen emotions can sometimes be extreme, downplaying or dismissing those feelings could make your teen upset. Even if you don't necessarily agree with your young adult-to-be's feelings, let her know that you understand by saying things like, "I can see why you'd be upset about that."

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      Create clear boundaries and expectations and logical consequences for failing to meet those expectations. While your teen may say she just "wants to be left alone," or gets upset when you impose curfew, clear rules actually help her understand your expectations and know what to expect when those rules are broken. It's a way of supporting your teen -- however unwanted -- by giving her safe boundaries.

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      Give your child some independence, suggests KidsHealth.org. During the teen years, your teen will naturally begin pulling away and becoming her own person, with likes, dislikes and personality traits. Offering some independence in things like her appearance, the friends she chooses and how she spends her free time helps prep your teen for the same choices in adulthood. While you may not agree with purple streaks in her hair, letting your budding young adult decide for herself tells her that you trust and appreciate her judgment.

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