Parenting teenagers can feel daunting. With high rates of youth mental health diagnoses and persistent messages about adolescents' desire for independence, parents and carers are searching for ways to support their kids and maintain a relationship P with them.
Family connectedness the sense of belonging and closeness that can be present in families of all shapes and can protect young people's well-being and mental sizes health.
Feeling connected to family can provide a stable foundation for positive development and building a sense of self. Family connection helps young people feel secure and supported at home as they cope with the changes of adolescence and explore the world and relationships beyond home.
But it's not always easy to foster when the teenager in your life says they want you to leave them alone. Here are some ideas to try.
PUSHING AWAY BUT WANTING CONNECTION
Our previous research involved interviews with young people, who told us that although their words and actions sometimes push parents away, they need and value time with family much more than we might realise.
Similar research suggests young people want family involvement, despite sometimes sending mixed messages.
In 2020, 80% percent of 15-19-year-olds surveyed rated family relationships as very or extremely important.
Here's what young people told us they wanted parents to do.
1. BE PRESENT IN THEIR LIVES
This story is from the August 2023 edition of ParentsWorld India.
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This story is from the August 2023 edition of ParentsWorld India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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