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Teenagers need love and support from parents at a time when lots of other things in their lives are changing. You can keep your relationship with your teenage child strong through ordinary, everyday activities.

Teenagers and parents: the facts

Many people think that families become less important to children as they move into the teenage years. But your child needs your family and the support it offers as much as she did when she was younger.

It’s true that family relationships change during adolescence. When your child was young, your role was to nurture and guide him. Now you might be finding that your relationship with your child is becoming more equal.

Most young people and their families have some ups and downs during these years, but things usually improve by late adolescence as children become more mature. Family relationships tend to stay strong right through.

For teenagers, parents and families are a source of care and emotional support. Families give teenagers practical, financial and material help. And most teenagers still want to spend time with their families, sharing ideas and having fun.

It’s normal for teenagers to be moody or seem uncommunicative, but they still need you. Your child still wants you to be involved in her life, even though at times her attitude, behaviour or body language might seem to say she doesn’t.

Why your child needs you

Adolescence can be a difficult time - your child is going through rapid physical and emotional changes. Young people aren’t always sure where they fit, and they’re still trying to work it out. Adolescents also need support with be a time when peer influences and relationships.

Supporting each other can be vital to getting through these challenges.

During this time your family can be a secure emotional base where your child feels loved and accepted, no matter what’s going on in the rest of his life. Your family can build and support your child’s confidence, self-belief, optimism and identity.

When your family sets rules, boundaries and standards of behaviour, you give your child a sense of consistency and predictability.

And believe it or not, your life experiences and knowledge can be really useful to your child – she just might not always want you to know that!

Supportive and close family relationships can reduce risky teenage behaviour, such as alcohol and other drug use, and problems such as depression. They can also boost your child’s feelings of being connected to school, and his desire to do well academically.

Strong family relationships can go a long way towards helping your child grow into a well-adjusted, considerate and caring adult.

Did you know?
Just being around family is associated with fewer behaviour problems in teenagers. This could be as simple as being in the kitchen when your child is in her room, so she knows she can come and talk to you if she wants to. Teens benefit from knowing that support is available, even though they might not be using it.

Building positive family relationship tips

The ordinary, everyday things families do together can help build and sustain strong relationships with teenagers. These tips might help you and your family:

• Regular family meals are a great chance for everyone to chat about their day, or about interesting stuff that’s going on or coming up. If you encourage everyone to have a say, no-one will feel they’re being put on the spot to talk. Also, many families find that meals are more enjoyable when the TV isn’t invited!
• Try setting aside time for fun family outings - you could all take turns choosing activities. A relaxing holiday or weekend away together as a family can also build togetherness.
• One-on-one time with your teen gives you the chance to enjoy each other’s company. It can also be a chance to share thoughts and feelings. If you can, try to find opportunities for each parent to have this time with your child.
• Celebrate your child’s accomplishments, share his disappointments, and show interest in his hobbies. You don’t have to make a big deal of this - sometimes it’s just a matter of showing up to watch your child play sport or music, or driving him to extracurricular activities.
• Family traditions, routines and rituals can help you and your child set aside regular dates and special times. For example, you might have a movie night together, a favourite meal or cooking session on a particular night, a family games afternoon or an evening walk together.
• Agreed household responsibilities give kids of all ages the sense that they’re making an important contribution to family life. These could be things like chores, shopping or helping older or younger members of the family.
• Limits and consequences give teenagers a sense of security, structure and predictability. Agreed-on rules help your child know what standards apply in your family, and what will happen if she pushes the boundaries.
• Have family meetings to solve problems. These give everyone a chance to be heard and help work out a solution that everyone is part of.

© Raising Children Network Limited, reproduced with permission.