It is a confusing time for tweens and their parents. You may notice your daughter laughing one minute and in floods of tears the next; you may not know how to deal with this.
What parents need to know is they are not alone. There are many books, articles and online websites (such as this one) that can offer advice about how to raise tweens. Other parents are also going through the same thing so you should never feel alone. It’s also important to know the aims of parenting throughout this difficult time:
Informing, Setting and Standing by Boundaries
Parents want their child to become the teenager who comes home on time, lets them know where they are and what they will be doing.
It’s therefore important that you listen to your tween and try to work together to reach compromises.
Trust is a Two-Way Street
Trust is something that is built, by showing your child that you trust her; this is a sign of respect which will be reciprocated.
Keeping the Lines of Communication Open
Parents need to be open to listening to whatever their children have to say. This means no yelling or quick response answers, but instead be there with an open mind.
You will then be able to discuss the positives and negatives and come to an agreement. If this isn’t possible then at least you took the time to listen, discuss and come to an informed decision.
So, when your tween grows into a teenager, she may take the time to discuss the idea with you before coming home with multiple piercings!
The Tween Years – an Opportunity to Reason with Your Child
Your tween still sees you as a parent and authority figure. He will still care enough to listen to you. When your tween is a teenager, you will hope that you have left a good impression so he will choose the right path in life.
