COACHING SKILLS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS Part 10: Nourish Independence

There Comes a Point When Parents Must Step Back and Allow Our Teenagers to Handle Some Things On Their Own.  It is natural for a teen to want autonomy, and it is your job to show him the way.  Prepare your teen for the life ahead.  Teach him how to buy groceries, purchase his own clothing within a [...]

COACHING SKILLS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS Part 9: Promote Responsible Behavior

Begin with the end in mind.  The goal of child-rearing is to send a confident, responsible, independent person out into the world.  Start from an early age to foster responsibility in your children.  As they enter the teen years, children grow in their ability to care for their own possessions, finances and commitments.  As their [...]

COACHING SKILLS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS Part 8: Show Appreciation

Catch your teen doing something right, and tell him so.  You don’t need to, and probably shouldn’t, heap praise on your child for every little thing he does well.  Excessive praise tends to produce children who expect instant gratification.  However, recognition of a teen’s accomplishment shows him that you are paying attention, not just to [...]