Parenting a teenager is not like any other stage of parenting where we could experiment with the old methods by making changes and implementing the same. But then sometimes I do feel that parenting is actually about facing new challenges in every possible way. Accepting the fact that my little boy is turning into a young man has been a roller coaster ride.
It did take a while to understand that his needs are changing, he is asking for freedom and independency and is figuring out what he wants to be and above all his body is changing too. During this process of the transformation, I am learning few things :
1. Make myself a safe place so that he can approach me anytime or in any situation to share his problems. Rather than pounding with a bag of questions, give time to him to unwind and relax.
2. Be a helping hand while he is cleaning up his cricket kit or room. Sometimes these times are the best ones to start a conversation.
3. Be ready to listen to him even if it is about his scripts or his You tube channel content or is nth number of business plan. Boys can be fickle and he might not want to talk when I am ready to listen. Hence, be ready when is ready to share.
4. Be a guide to set limits, boundaries and rules. It is important to understand and be patient with him till till he figures out what he really wants.
5. Hug or just snuggle him (though he doesn't like it much these days) and give him that mom's touch so he knows that he is still my little boy and means world to me.
6. Make his favorite meal thus making him feel very special. I never knew that a bowl of Burrito was such a powerful dish.
7. Talk and treat him like an adult and I see the magic how it is impacting our relationship.
8. Believe and have faith in him. We share our secrets with each other and have those fun sign languages which are understood only by both of us.
9. Model respect and love for people around us so he also demonstrates the same as I want him to be a kind human.
My teen boy needs unconditional love from me and I will continue to shower upon him in every possible way through daily love affirmations.
