Setting Expectations For Your Teen At Home

This year, the back to school season looks very different than it has in the past. Some schools are returning to the classroom, some are offering virtual classes, and others are doing a hybrid of both. Many families are choosing to forgo public school entirely and are opting for the homeschooling route. Sports, activities, and other after-school programs are effectively canceled in most cases. Either way, this means one big thing: teens are home now more than ever.

Quarantine and social distancing have become the norm. At the beginning of the pandemic, parents gave their teens grace. It was a difficult time. Now that these challenging circumstances are continuing, parents need to balance empathy for the losses and limits their children and teens are experiencing with building resilience and requiring their best.

This is a unique time to allow teens to take responsibility for chores and to learn life skills.

This doesn't come easily for many parents and families. Whether you're struggling to get your teens to help out or you're looking to assign more responsibility to them, I've rounded up some past podcast episodes to guide you.

1. Stop the Parent-Teen Chore Battle

Chores are a necessary routine but some teens don’t quite see it that way. Learn how to get your teen and family into the groove of chores.

2. Do We Still Give Allowance When Kids Don’t Do Their Chores?

In this episode, I respond to a mom who is concerned that offering allowance when her kids are not being responsible or respectful is sending a wrong message and it makes her feel taken advantage of.

3. Kids Need To Help At Home

Are you and your spouse at odds on what your expectations are for your children? I provide you with some valuable tips to help you get on the same page in this podcast episode.

4. Are We Dumbing Down Our Expectations?

Have you been giving in to your teenager’s demands even though you doubt your choices? I can help you become a more empowered parent by providing solutions to ending the control battle.

5. Know Your Child’s Needs

Are you struggling to get your child to cooperate and your spouse doesn’t seem to be helping mend the situation? Check out this episode for tips on how to resolve your communication.

6. Am I Helping or Enabling my Young Adult Child?

Many parents struggle with helping their young adult children become independent and motivated to transition into adulthood. So what is the right balance between helping them make the transition or just enabling them to rely on your assistance?

7. Teach Your Kids To Set Goals

Goal setting is a vital part of our lives. If we teach and empower our kids to identify and solve problems, life will go well for them. Let’s look at a few important goal setting or problem-solving areas to think about.

I hope you find these podcasts beneficial like so many other parents have. If you enjoyed these topics and are eager to be the first to know about new podcast episodes, sign up for my weekly email. If you are enjoying my podcast, please stop over to my iTunes site Healthy Family Connections. Click on ratings and reviews, and write a brief review. It will let other parents know they can find value, too.

During this very challenging time for our respective countries, and in our communities and families, many folks will experience feelings and situations that are overwhelming and I want to encourage you all to reach out to your mental health community. Many individual therapists and community mental health centers are providing services by phone and video platforms.

If you're looking for a resource to help keep you productive at home while also helping you become a better parent, I've prepared a free gift just for you. It’s called Parenting Through Your Child's Second 12 Years. I know you’re thinking, "What the heck, 12 more years of parenting?" Adolescence neurologically, socially and emotionally, and often financially goes to around age 24. Yes, parenting your 20-year-olds is different than the teens. Download my gift and read and learn about the different stages of adolescence and critical strategies parents can use to avoid control battles and best support their adolescents’ quest for happy successful independence.

If you haven’t already, grab a copy of my book, Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle. Many readers have told me it is the least expensive and best counseling session they’ve ever had.

Remember: take care of yourselves; you need it, you deserve it, you’re worth it.

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