| What were you thinking? If I've told you once, | | | | suffers as a result |
| I've told you a thousand times...You are grounded | | | | A Better Idea |
| for the rest of your life! | | | | If you want to turn that alien who moved into |
| If you find yourself saying these things to your | | | | your house back into a responsible, somewhat |
| teen, you are pretty normal. There is no doubt | | | | predictable, happy person you enjoy being around, |
| about it, parents who make it through the | | | | your role will probably have to change. You need |
| adolescent years with their children deserve a | | | | to go from being a boss, to being a consultant. |
| Gold Medal. | | | | When you become a trusted advisor you are in a |
| Why are teen years so difficult? | | | | position to help your teen become responsible and |
| You'll be happy to know, recent research has | | | | make wise decisions on her own. |
| proven what parents have suspected for | | | | Because people listen to people they like and |
| hundreds of years, teens are not in their right | | | | respect, the first step is to being listened to is |
| mind. Scientists have actually MRI'd teenagers | | | | making sure you have a positive relationship with |
| brains and found that their developing brains are | | | | your teenager. One of the steps to creating a |
| going through big time chemical changes, causing | | | | positive bond is having "Ahh Moments." You know |
| lack of judgment, because that's what develops | | | | those times when you feel warm and fuzzy all |
| last. | | | | over and "Ahh" just whispers out of your mouth. |
| That's right. Not only is that teeny bopper going | | | | Like when you see a newborn baby, puppy, or |
| through raging hormones, he doesn't yet have the | | | | beautiful sunset. Having those times between you |
| good sense to know how to handle them. So | | | | and your teen may take work, but you will be |
| when teenagers do things that make your eyes | | | | tickled with the results. |
| spin round in your head and your hair stand on | | | | Creating "Ahh Moments" With Your Teen |
| end, they may not be rebelling against you or | | | | 1. Write down five things you love, admire, or |
| intentionally trying to drive you crazy. It's more | | | | respect about your teenager. Put them in your |
| likely because, as Harvard Professor of Neurology, | | | | pocket or purse and read them at least twice a |
| Frances Jensen says about teens "These are | | | | day. 2. Take the time to give at least three |
| people with very sharp brains,but they're not quite | | | | descriptive compliments for every "suggestion for |
| sure what to do with them." | | | | improvement." 3. When your teen talks to you, |
| That is why your teens need your guidance more | | | | stop what you are doing, look her in the eye and |
| than ever. The problem is, many parents resort | | | | give your teen your full attention. 4. Ban all |
| to, "My way or the highway" or "As long as you | | | | criticism for a period of time. 5. Share some of |
| live under this roof." or, "Because I'm the the | | | | your hopes and dreams, as well as your struggles |
| mom, that's why" to get their kids to behave. | | | | and listen to hers. 6. Search out and find |
| And it often works, for a short time. But as soon | | | | something that will make you laugh together. 7. |
| as that minor becomes a major, or is out of | | | | When you teen is successful at something |
| sight, those rules are history and your relationship | | | | important to him, cheer him on. |