3 Tips To Build A Stronger Bond with Your Teenager

Your teen may have a lot of questions for you, but they don’t feel like it is appropriate to seek answers from mom and dad. This can be frustrating because it feels like your child doesn't trust you with important information that only the two of you should know together as parents and children.

You may think that you have a good relationship with your teenager, but it could be much better if you were both open about communication. Don't assume that they know what’s going on in the family, keep them involved even if they don't seem like they care. As a teen, they're probably spending more time at a friend's house than just hanging around your home like you once remember.  It's important to be open about any problems that are happening in the home so that both of you can work together and make things better. Avoid making them feel like you're keeping secrets from them and they'll be more likely to confide in you about more serious issues they may be experiencing. Things like an eating disorder or that they are experimenting with drugs will be much easier to address and discuss when you are both comfortable communicating with one another.

If your teenager feels as though you take them for granted, they will be less likely to stay connected with you. Create opportunities where your teen can do something special and feel important in order to build their self-esteem and a stronger bond between the two of you. If this means giving up some family time so that your child can participate in a school play, a new sport, or a new hobby then that is a great way to show them that their needs are important.

One of the biggest complaints that teens have about their parents is when their rules seem arbitrary and there doesn’t appear to be a good reason for why they should follow certain guidelines or expectations. If you feel like your teen is constantly pushing up against the boundaries that you set, then it’s time to sit down and talk about why those limits are in place. It might be a good idea to find out how some of your trusted peers discipline their children so you can get an outside perspective on what methods are working best for teenagers. Explain that setting limits isn't about control but rather about their safety. If you feel like your child is becoming more disrespectful, then it might be time to pour in some stricter rules that will help them understand what the consequences are if they choose not to follow your guidelines.