Make parenting easier on yourself (and stop doing this.)

When your teen expresses a goal they want to achieve, you want their desire to become a reality. 

So, when your teen says they want to go to a particular college, you might say, “You need to study hard.”

Or, when your teen says they want to get a certain job, you might say, “Well, you better hurry up and apply.”

Or, when your teen is interested in someone, you might say, “You should really call instead of text.”

Unfortunately, your teen gets annoyed with responses like these and pushes you away.

Listen. Your heart is in the right place. 

You want them to succeed in everything they set out to do.

You want to protect them from potentially feeling disappointed.

So, your thoughts naturally focus on the challenges they’ll need to overcome to get what they want.

But when they share their goals, and you immediately respond with the obstacles, they don’t want to talk anymore.

You can make this situation so much easier on yourself.

Simply say, “That sounds exciting!”

Followed by, “What interested you about that college?” or, “What sounds exciting about that job?” or, “What do you like about them?”

That’s it. 

Celebration followed by curiosity.

Now that they are teens, it’s not your job to tell them what they need to do to make their vision come true.

Frankly, they want to figure that out for themselves.

They just want you to be excited for them and take an interest in their hopes and dreams.

This is good news!

When you resist the urge to offer what you think are the next steps, they will stay in the conversation. 

And here’s a secret: often they end up asking for your opinion. ;)

Your coach,
Jeanine

P.S. Would you like more parenting strategies to make your life easier? Let’s connect! Schedule a call HERE and let’s bring more peace and connection into your home.

P.P.S. Head on over to Instagram for more parenting goodness.