Managing Growing Pains: 5 Steps for Parents to Help Their Struggling Teen

As parents, it can be difficult to watch our children grow up and encounter the challenges that come with adolescence; unfortunately, many teenagers go through a period of acting out in school and withdrawing from communication with their parents or other adults. As difficult as this situation may seem, there are several steps you can take to help your child manage these behaviors in a healthy way.

1) Open Communication

Establishing an open line of communication between yourself and your adolescent is essential for helping them work through any issues they are facing at school or home. Make sure to set aside time each day for family conversations so that everyone’s thoughts and feelings can be heard without judgment or criticism.

2) Respect Boundaries

It’s important to remember that as our children age into adolescents, they need more space than when they were younger; respect their boundaries by allowing them some alone time if needed but also remind them you are always available if something is wrong or upsetting them.  

3) Get Help When Needed

If your teenager continues displaying disruptive behavior despite having regular conversations about it then don’t hesitate to seek professional help such as counseling services which could provide additional support during this challenging stage of life. Kaiya provides research-backed therapeutic skills and community/peer support to teens at a low cost.

4) Focus on Positive Reinforcement

Instead of focusing solely on negative behaviors, try praising positive ones instead! Showing appreciation when appropriate will not only boost self-esteem but also encourage good habits over bad ones while also providing motivation towards setting goals both inside and outside the classroom.  

5) Remain Calm & Patient

Above all else, remain calm throughout any conversation involving disciplinary action towards misbehavior - no matter how frustrated you may feel! This will enable both parties involved (you and your teen) to discuss the situation in a healthy, rational manner, leading ultimately towards a strengthened bond between parent and child.