5 Things to Know About Your Teen/Tween
NO fight is worth having if it means losing the connection with your child. Of utmost importance is keeping the lines of communication open. Really listen to what your teen/tween is saying and be supportive, even if you feel they’re wrong. Differentiate that you love them, yet don’t approve of their behavior. This will help them learn from their mistakes while keeping their integrity in tact. Their judgment may not be the best, but they are actually trying to do the right thing, in their own way. Don’t expect them to be adults before they actually are, so keep your expectations realistic. The greatest gift is to see your child as a unique individual. Sharon Rivkin is available to discuss five tips when your teen/tween puts up a fight:
- Your child might have a good point.
- Listen and dialogue; don’t lecture.
- Respect your child.
- Set limits; don’t control.
- Know your own triggers from your own childhood issues.
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Bio of Sharon Rivkin
Sharon M. Rivkin, Marriage and Family Therapist, and author of The First Argument: Cutting to the Root of Intimate Conflict, has worked with couples for 27 years. Her unique insight into the first argument was featured in O: The Oprah Magazine and Reader’s Digest, and has attracted people throughout the United States and abroad for consultation, workshops, and courses. For more information on Sharon Rivkin and her book, or to contact her, visit www.sharonrivkin.com.