Will your teen’s life fall apart without you?

It’s time to stop enabling your teen—even when you feel like you have no choice.

You wake them up, so they get to school on time. 
You make them breakfast, so they have the energy they need.
You bring them their backpack when they forget their athletic clothes.
You tell them to study, so that they can perform well.

You worry that if you don’t step in to help, their life will fall apart. 

Your intentions are pure.
Your heart is in the right place. 

But unfortunately, you are left feeling like a nag and your efforts are unappreciated.
And you are unintentionally creating friction in your relationship with your child. 

It makes perfect sense that you feel compelled to help your children. For years, they relied on you.

When they were too young to take care of themselves, you were there, getting them to school, offering nutritious food, and taking them to activities. 

But now that they’re teens, it’s your job to step back and let go.
It’s time for them to build the life skills they need to be successful when they are not in your care. 

Notice when you aren’t allowing them to manage their own lives.
Look for all the ways they can take care of themselves.
Differentiate between when you help to keep them safe versus when you help to make their life run smoothly. 

They want to solve their own problems.
Yet, at the same time, they are wired to seek out the easiest path.
If you are going to make their life easier, they will not object.

However, they will feel annoyed and act irritated because what they really desire is to be independent.

While you might think what you are doing is helping them, you are actually robbing them of the opportunity to build healthy habits and problem-solve. 

If you want them to be happy and thriving when they no longer live with you, allow them to build life skills now. 

What’s the worst that can happen?
If it is not life-threatening, then find the courage to let them stumble.
Give them the opportunity to cope with natural consequences in the safety and protection of your home.

Then, begin a conversation asking them their ideas for how to best manage their responsibilities. 

With your emotional support there as a safety net, they will develop the critical life skills they need to launch with confidence and thrive as adults.

P.S. Ready to empower your teen to manage their life? I can help you. Schedule a complimentary call HERE.

P.P.S. If you want to dive deeper and engage with me, head on over to Instagram.