|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are
solely
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
iStock
Prevention Action Alliance
Know! To Positively Connect with Your Teen
The desire to connect with others is universal, which is why social
media has exploded over the years among people of all ages. When it
comes to teens, just about everyone has at least one social media
account to be able to connect with their “friends” at any given moment.
A child’s virtual and in-person connections are important and highly
influential in their lives, however, it cannot compare to the
importance and influence of the parent-child connection—for better or
worse. It’s the relationship between the parent or other caregiver and
the child that serves as the backdrop of present and future
interactions with others and highly impacts how young people make
decisions. The parent-child relationship must be fostered and
strengthened for healthy adolescent development.
Children whose relationships with their parents can be characterized as
consistent, warm, kind, loving, and stable, are much more likely to:
initiate positive social interactions with others, respond to
situations with empathy, be cooperative with others, exhibit a higher
self-esteem and make healthy life choices, including the decision not
to use alcohol and other drugs.
How to Enhance Your Parent-Child Connection
Spend Time Together: Hanging out and having fun with your child is
critical in building and fostering a close connection. Whether you get
ice cream or spend an afternoon relaxing and watching movies at home,
enjoy some “hang time” with your child.
Include Friends: What better way to get to know your child’s friends
than bringing them along on a family outing or inviting them over for
dinner? It’s also important to get to know their friends’ parents.
Listen: Put down your electronic devices and listen. Our kids want to
be heard, and they want to feel like what they say matters to you.
Listen attentively, then ask questions to show your interest.
Talk: Your child wants and needs to hear from you on a variety of
topics, including mental wellness and substance use. Children whose
parents talk early and often with them about not using alcohol and
other drugs are 50% less likely to smoke, drink or use other substances
in the first place.
Set Future Goals: Research shows that when youth set their sights on
future goals, be it a position on a sports team or an academic
scholarship, they make more careful choices.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: It is important to both give respect to your child and
insist on it from your child. This is an occasion where if you give,
you are much more likely to receive.
Share Expectations: Most youth want to please their parents. Children
whose parents set clear expectations are more likely to make better
choices.
Eat Dinner Together: While it need not be anything fancy, studies show
that sitting down together to share a meal and conversation strengthens
family connections.
Adolescence is a time of many changes and big decision-making. Be sure
to talk regularly, remain engaged in your child’s everyday life, and
continuously strive to strengthen the connection. A strong and positive
relationship now will serve you and your child both today and down the
road.
|
|
|
|
