Home > Patient Education > Parenting Your Teenager
Parenting Your Teenager
   Your teenager needs you. Although teens often act like they don't need
   or want to be seen with you, many surveys show that teens do want their
   Teenagers are continuing to develop physically, emotionally and
   Below, you will find some general teen parenting principles that may be
   Teens want to be respected, just like everyone else.
     * Compliment and praise your teens for their good choices and
     * Let your teens hear you complimenting them in front of your
     * Encourage teens to set goals, both short- and long-term, and make
       plans to help your teen reach them. This is the best way to develop
   Teens need to be connected to their family. Teens engage in fewer
   Teens do better in homes with hands-on parenting. "Hands-on parenting"
   means the parents are involved in most aspects of their teens' lives
     * Monitoring what teens watch on television
     * Monitoring what teens do on the Internet
     * Restricting the music, movies and video games your teen buys and
     * Knowing where teens are after school and on weekends
     * Assigning teens regular chores
   Teens need you to convey your values.
     * Teach your teens your values in all areas of life — finances,
     * Tell your teen if you disapprove of teenager smoking, alcohol and
       drug use and sexual activity. Your teens are listening!
   Teens need to learn the relationship between responsibility and
   privilege. Parents should not allow their teens privileges that are
   inappropriate for the teen's age or level of maturity and
   responsibility. If your teen doesn't pay attention to her homework,
   Teens need to know your rules and your limits, and the consequences if
   Teens need to know that you will be flexible in areas that don't
   Teens should always be provided with a way out of dangerous situations.
   Let your teen know that you can always be called to rescue him or her
   that your teen remains safe.
   Teens need to stay busy. Teens who participate in extracurricular
   are much less likely to have time to get into trouble. However, teens
   Teens need to learn new tasks. Help your teens become competent in the
   cooking and doing laundry are all necessary life skills your teen needs
   Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at Mount Zion